By Mmesoma 
Since taking over as president of baseball operations for the Detroit Tigers in 2022, Scott Harris has made it clear he’s playing the long game. But if his early draft results are any indication, the long game might pay off a lot sooner than expected.
Harris, known for his data-driven approach and emphasis on player development, has quietly assembled a series of MLB Draft classes that are beginning to turn heads around the league. The Tigers, once mired in years of roster stagnation, are now drawing praise for the talent pipeline being built under Harris’ leadership.
His first full draft in 2023 was headlined by high-upside college outfielder Max Clark, who has already begun climbing the Tigers’ minor league ranks with his elite athleticism and mature plate approach. Clark’s early success in High-A and subsequent promotion to Double-A Erie has scouts buzzing, with some projecting him as a potential 2026 MLB debut candidate.
But Harris’ impact goes beyond just first-round splashes. His later-round picks are also beginning to blossom—an area where the Tigers previously struggled. Pitching prospects like Carlos Marcano and Cade Carr, both selected outside the top 5 rounds, have shown significant growth and could emerge as rotation or bullpen contributors in the next couple of seasons.
“Scott Harris has brought structure and intentionality to the Tigers’ draft process,” said MLB Network analyst Jim Callis. “They’re not just drafting talent—they’re drafting fits. Players who match their developmental system and organizational values.”
Perhaps most impressive is Harris’ ability to balance risk and ceiling. While other teams shy away from raw, toolsy players or high school arms, Harris has embraced calculated risks. His selections reflect a vision of the future—players who might not be polished now but possess traits that can be refined through Detroit’s evolving player development infrastructure.
The results are already showing at the minor league level, where the Tigers’ affiliates have improved across the board. Player development, a former weak spot for the franchise, has been reinvigorated under Harris’ watch.
“This is not about quick fixes,” Harris said during spring training. “It’s about laying a foundation that can sustain winning baseball for years to come. The draft is a huge part of that.”
While it’s still early in his tenure, Harris’ draft classes have the makings of something special. Detroit is slowly but surely moving from rebuilding to reloading, and much of that credit lies in the front office’s ability to scout, draft, and develop with precision.
If these trends continue, Scott Harris won’t just be the man who rebuilt the Tigers—he’ll be remembered as the architect behind Detroit’s next era of sustained success.