The core strength of the Tigers’ farm system lies in its high-potential prospects, but a significant concern has been the string of serious pitching injuries suffered over the last two years. Despite substantial investment in pitcher development through the past three drafts, the club has yet to see major dividends. The failure to produce a substantial number of major league-caliber pitchers soon would pose a serious setback for the organization. Left-hander Ethan Schiefelbein, picked 72nd overall in the 2024 Competitive Balance B round, earned a sizable signing bonus but, like many high-profile prep signees from 2023 and 2024, logged minimal innings in 2025.
Traditionally favoring powerful right-handed pitchers, the Tigers’ selection of Schiefelbein—a left-hander—was somewhat unconventional. Although lacking a blazing fastball typical of top prep arms, the California native from Corona High School displayed advanced skills, solid command, and mechanical consistency that suggested promising physical development. His delivery was smooth and repeatable, hinting at his potential to become a high-quality starting pitcher in time.
Schiefelbein showed promising signs of becoming a major league starter without needing the extensive refinement in command or pitch movement usually required for prep pitchers. While his performance didn’t quite match hyped prep pitchers like Owen Hall or Paul Wilson, his youth (he was just 18 at the time of the draft, younger than many peers) and advanced skill set placed him above the standard prep pitcher class.
Unfortunately, Schiefelbein, like many young Tigers pitchers, faced setbacks in 2025. After limited appearances in extended spring training and the Complex League, he was sidelined for most of the season due to a shoulder strain, which thankfully did not require surgery. Instead of rushing him back into Single-A late in the year, the organization prioritized his physical rehabilitation and strength building before a planned full-season debut in 2026.
While other top prospects such as 2023 second-rounder Paul Wilson won’t pitch until late this year and won’t fully join the rotation until they’re in their early twenties, Schiefelbein remains on schedule. Now 20, he is pitching at the Single-A level in 2026, and the Tigers are hopeful their strategy focusing on prep pitchers will pay off in the coming years.
Known for throwing from a balanced three-quarter arm slot, Schiefelbein earned recognition as a high school senior after pitching for Team USA. In his last school season, he posted an outstanding 0.27 ERA with 83 strikeouts and only 11 walks over 52 innings. His repertoire included a two-seam fastball, slider, knuckle curveball, and circle changeup—all effectively located. His fastball velocity ranged mostly between 90-91 mph but touched 94-95 mph during high school.
Physically, he appears more suited to a four-seam fastball and potentially developing a cutter rather than being a sinker-changeup pitcher with horizontal movement. His curveball was his most advanced secondary pitch, showing good spin, while his slider and changeup were more raw but used confidently in the strike zone for his age.
At this point, there’s limited new scouting information. While peers like Hall, Wilson, and Swanson are expected back on the mound this year—with only Hall on track for a timely 2026 start—Schiefelbein faces much of his early campaign without teammates alongside. The Tigers plan to limit him to under 100 innings this season to mitigate injury risks. Assuming no setbacks, he should be ready to handle a full season soon.
Developing pitchers is a lengthy process. Even Jackson Jobe—a highly regarded prep arm from recent drafts—struggled with injuries and performance for two years before breaking out. Schiefelbein is similarly a long-term project who will focus this season on adding muscle to his lean 6-foot-2 frame, staying healthy, and refining his mechanics. The best-case projection is a talent comparable to Cole Hamels, though a more realistic goal is steady physical development and health leading to a solid major league career. Currently, he projects as a dependable mid-rotation starter.
Fan Take:
This update on Ethan Schiefelbein highlights the patience required to develop young pitching talent and underscores the challenges teams face with injury setbacks. For baseball fans, it’s a reminder that building a strong pitching staff takes time and resilience, but when prospects like Schiefelbein fulfill their potential, they can become cornerstone players who shape the future of the sport.
