MINNEAPOLIS – The Tigers, who have gotten massive contributions from their farm system all season, have added another of their positional prospects to the roster. Infielder John Peck was called up from Triple-A Toledo and was in the dugout for Monday’s game against the Twins.
Manager A.J. Hinch said Peck – Detroit's No. 20 prospect per MLB Pipeline – would not be in the lineup on Monday, but he is expected to start at shortstop on Tuesday and Wednesday at Target Field.
“We obviously really like him defensively, and we liked how he's developed offensively over the last couple of seasons,” Hinch said.
To make room for Peck on the Major League roster, the Tigers optioned outfielder Corey Julks to Triple-A Toledo.
Peck was the Tigers’ seventh-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of Pepperdine. He played under former Tigers shortstop and then-Waves assistant coach Danny Worth, who had a major impact on his preparation for a pro career.
Peck now follows in Worth’s footsteps into Detroit’s infield after back-to-back impressive seasons in the Tigers’ farm system, including this year despite an injury-shortened summer.
“He's a mature guy with just the way he goes about his actions and his business,” Hinch said. “I just told him today he doesn't have to be perfect. He's seen some of his former teammates come up and survive the transition. So it should make him believe before he has to go out and do it.
“And I told him he's here to stay. I want him to get some time on the field and coming off the bench in some games, just get himself used to this level because he has the skills to play reliable defense, show a little bit of power, and see where this opportunity takes him.”
Peck made a big impression in Spring Training as a non-roster invite to big league camp, then carried his momentum to Double-A Erie, where he slashed .285/.328/.511 with 10 homers, 17 doubles, three triples, 44 RBIs and 19 stolen bases in 58 games. He was promoted to Triple-A Toledo on June 23, but he played in just two games for the Mud Hens before going on the injured list. He rejoined the Mud Hens earlier this week following a rehab assignment and went 7-for-14 with one double, one RBI, three walks and three stolen bases.
Peck has played primarily at shortstop, including all four games at Toledo this past week, but can play all over the infield. A solid defender around the infield, he could join fellow 2023 draftee McGonigle and Javier Báez in Detroit’s shortstop mix.
The Tigers have had an influx of prospects to the Major League roster this summer, including top prospect Max Clark, infielder Hao-Yu Lee, outfielders Ben Malgeri and Brett Callahan and catcher Eduardo Valencia. Clark (first round), Kevin McGonigle (first round), Peck (seventh round) and Callahan (13th round) were all Tigers picks from the 2023 Draft, as was pitching callup Andrew Sears (10th round).