Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Fastball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

Seven years after the Tigers took a Draft flier on a college pitcher with mixed results a year removed from Tommy John surgery (Tarik Skubal), they went a similar route with Leys, who missed the 2024 season recovering from surgery before taking the mound for the University of Maine in 2025. Leys won America East Pitcher of the Year with a 2.69 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 67 innings, better than his first two seasons with the Black Bears. The Tigers drafted him in the fourth round, five rounds earlier than Skubal, and signed him for $574,900.

While Leys isn’t big for a pitcher, he has a quick, fluid delivery with a big leg kick and a three-quarters arm angle. His fastball can touch 96 mph, setting up a slider and a changeup both in the low 80s. Leys greatly improved his strike throwing and command upon his return from surgery, cutting his walk rate in almost half from his first two seasons while ticking up his strikeout rate. 

The Tigers have been aggressive at times starting out college pitchers in full-season ball, and could do the same with Leys, who made an impression in Spring Training. If he can hold his command while adding more swing-and-miss, he could force his way up the system quickly.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	08/04/2025	FCL Tigers activated LHP Caleb Leys.
	07/24/2025	LHP Caleb Leys assigned to FCL Tigers.
	07/23/2025	Detroit Tigers signed LHP Caleb Leys.
	06/03/2025	LHP Caleb Leys assigned to College Workout.