DETROIT -- Ben Malgeri was a relatively unknown outfielder in the Tigers’ farm system when he crossed the street from Minor League camp early in Spring Training of 2025 for a few games as an extra player on the big league club. After a 3-for-3, four-RBI game against the Phillies and a two-run homer in a three-RBI game at the Orioles a few days later, his trip across the street seemingly crossed him over into prospect status.
“I was there for that,” Kerry Carpenter said. “That was the first time where I was like: Dang, this guy, I didn’t know he could hit the ball that hard.”
One phrase stuck out: Play your game. It was part of virtually every answer he gave to questions from reporters who surprised him after the Orioles game.
“I'm just trying to be free out there, play my game,” he said at the time. “That's what it comes down to. ... It's the same game as I'm playing over there, so I just come over here trying not to put too much pressure on myself and play my game.”
Imagine what that young outfielder, an 18th-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft who played his college ball at Holy Cross and Northeastern, would have thought of the idea of making his Major League debut 16 months later, starting in right field against the Yankees on Tuesday at Comerica Park.
“That was a pretty good boost for my confidence, doing that in Spring Training,” Malgeri said after his two hits in the Tigers’ 4-3 loss to the Yankees. “Obviously back then, still had a lot of work to do. Still have a lot of work to do today.”
Malgeri hasn’t let up since that spring. The New Hampshire native continues to play his game. And as manager A.J. Hinch looked for another right-handed bat for his lineup on Tuesday, with back-to-back games against left-handed starting pitchers looming, he liked what Malgeri brings to the game.
“He’s hit his way here,” Hinch said. “I mean, look at what he’s done over the last few years. He’s just continued to open eyes when given opportunities.”
After spending parts of three seasons at Double-A Erie, Malgeri finally graduated this season to Triple-A Toledo, where he became one of the bright spots on a Mud Hens roster that includes top prospect Max Clark and No. 4 prospect Max Anderson. Malgeri slashed .296/.401/.496 with nine home runs and 34 RBIs. He crushed lefties for a .323 average and an 1.077 OPS.
From an OPS standpoint, it’s the best season of Malgeri’s career, a fitting trajectory for a prospect on the rise. From the draft slot to the bat, Malgeri’s rise echoes that of former 19th-round pick Carpenter, but with less power.
“I’m really happy for him,” Carpenter said. “He’s worked as hard as anybody to get to this point. It’s pretty awesome to be here for this moment.”
Said Hinch: “I love it for our system and our organization, and the work that our [player development] group has put in. And then obviously, Ben deserves the majority of the credit, because he just kept his head down and performed, kept hitting, kept making subtle adjustments and continued to open eyes.”
Malgeri’s debut opened eyes as well. Stepping into the box against Yankees southpaw Carlos Rodón, Malgeri hit the first pitch he saw, a 95-mph fastball, and lashed it into right for an opposite-field single in the third inning. He came around to score on Dillon Dingler’s two-out single.
“If it's there, I'm not going to wait around,” Malgeri said.
Malgeri repeated the feat in the seventh inning off Yankees lefty reliever Brent Headrick, this time off an 0-2 fastball at 95 mph.
“The excitement level is through the roof,” Malgeri said. “It's obviously a big day. I was super excited to be here, but reminded myself that it's the same game that I've been playing my whole life and go out there, give it my best effort.”