The 2023 Major League Baseball Draft, Scott Harris' first as president of baseball operations for the Tigers, already has paid some pretty impressive dividends for Detroit.
Left-hander Andrew Sears was called up to make his major-league debut for the Tigers on Sunday, Aug. 23, in the series finale against the Royals in Kansas City, Mo.
That makes Sears the fifth player drafted by the Tigers in 2023 to make his MLB debut. That ties the Tigers for most players to debut from that draft, with the Colorado Rockies, New York Mets and Seattle Mariners.
And few teams have gotten more, already, from that draft than the Tigers, thanks largely to first-round pick Kevin McGonigle, who remains the heavy favorite to win American League Rookie of the Year in 2026.
McGonigle's 5.7 WAR (per Baseball-Reference) is third-most for any player from that draft, behind Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes (15.8), the No. 1 overall selection that year who debuted in 2024, and Texas Rangers outfielder Wyatt Langford (11.9), who was taken No. 4 (right behind Max Clark to the Tigers at No. 3) and also debuted in 2024.
What 2023 MLB draft picks have debuted for the Tigers?Here's a look at Tigers' picks from 2023 who've already made their major-league debut:
- Max Clark, No. 3 overall: Harris went with Clark, the high-schooler, over Langford, the college player with a faster track to The Show. Clark finally got his callup earlier this month and burst onto the scene, though he's been going through it lately (as is expected). His defense in center field and his ability to work a count have been impressive, though.
- Kevin McGonigle, No. 37 overall: He, too, was a first-round pick (a compensatory selection) and also taken out of high school. He leapfrogged Clark in the pecking order in 2025, and made the Tigers out of camp this year and signed a long-term extension. He's been so impressive, even if he appears to hit a bit of wall lately.
- Andrew Sears, No. 290 overall: A 10th-round pick out of the University of Connecticut, he was set to make his debut in Kansas City on Aug. 23 after an impressive run lately at Triple-A Toledo.
- Jim Jarvis, No. 320 overall: The 11th-round pick out of the University of Alabama, the shortstop debuted with the Atlanta Braves after being traded for pitcher Rafael Montero in 2025.
- Brett Callahan, No. 380 overall: A 13th-round pick out of St. Joseph's University, the outfielder was one of four 2023 draftees to debut with Detroit this year. He can hit. He can't seem to find a helmet that fits.
Six teams haven't yet had a player from the 2023 MLB Draft make their major-league debut.
tpaul@detroitnews.com
@tonypaul1984
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Tigers getting early returns from '23 draft class, Scott Harris' first
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