Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 40

The Tigers have made a habit in recent drafts under amateur scouting director Mark Conner and assistant general manager Rob Metzler of targeting high school pitchers with second-day picks and signing them away from college commitments. Schiefelbein was one of the more notable ones last year, a California prep star at Corona High School and seemingly headed for UCLA before Detroit selected him 72nd overall and signed him above slot for a $1,797,500 bonus.

While Schiefelbein is neither physically imposing nor overpowering, he has an advanced pitch mix that hitters do not like to face, based around a low-90s sinker and two breaking balls. He used his mid-70s looping curveball more often in high school, flipping it into the zone to steal strikes and burying it for chase with a delivery that sometimes left him falling off the mound. His harder slider might have more potential as a swing-and-miss pitch in the pros with more deception. His low-80s changeup plays well off his fastball.

Physical maturation will be big for Schiefelbein as he gets into the pro ranks, but his ability to adapt and adjust provides more than typical upside. While he could end up as the prototypical crafty left-hander, his grasp of pitching could create a hurler who outperforms his stuff. He's battled a shoulder strain in his first full season that limited him to only three Rookie-ball appearances.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

In 2020, Isaiah Greene was a second-round pick out of Corona High School in California. In 2024, Corona’s best chance at matching Greene’s Draft status was Schiefelbein, a lefty who proved his mettle against top competition all summer. He pitched for Team USA on multiple occasions and he was arguably the best pitcher on the 18U team in Taiwan in 2023, allowing just one run over nine innings, striking out 12. He continued to show he likes the spotlight by tossing a complete-game shutout to help Corona win the National High School Invitational in early April. The Tigers selected him 72nd overall in July and signed him for above slot at $1,797,500.

At 6-foot-2, Schiefelbein wasn’t the biggest or most physical pitcher in the class, but the left-hander made up for it by being one of the most competitive arms in the crop. He has a four-pitch mix, starting with a two-seam fastball that typically sits in the 90-93 mph range. He favors his true top-to-bottom curve, but it’s more of a get-me-over kind of pitch. Scouts may prefer his harder slider, which has the chance to be a true out offering. He has good feel for a changeup, which could be above average in time.

There is some effort in Schiefelbein’s delivery, particularly in his lower half, and he doesn’t have the longest extension in the world. But the former UCLA recruit has shown the ability to throw strikes and clearly knows how to navigate an at-bat. His makeup and ability to get outs against top competition made him the best pitching prospect out of Corona High School since Tristan Beck played there before heading to Stanford.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

n 2020, Isaiah Greene was a second-round pick out of Corona High School in California. In 2024, Corona’s best chance at matching Greene’s Draft status is Schiefelbein, a lefty who proved his mettle against top competition all summer. He’s pitched for Team USA on multiple occasions and he was arguably the best pitcher on the 18U team in Taiwan in 2023, allowing just one run over nine innings, striking out 12. He continued to show he likes the spotlight by tossing a complete-game shutout to help Corona win the National High School Invitational in early April.

At 6-foot-1, Schiefelbein isn’t the biggest or most physical pitcher in the class, but the left-hander makes up for it by being one of the most competitive arms in the crop. He has a four-pitch mix, starting with a two-seam fastball that typically sits in the 90-93 mph range. He favors his true top-to-bottom curve, but it’s more of a get-me-over kind of pitch. Scouts may prefer his harder slider, which has the chance to be a true out pitch. He has good feel for a changeup, which could be above average in time.

There is some effort in Schiefelbein’s delivery, particularly in his lower half, and he doesn’t have the longest extension in the world. But the UCLA recruit has shown the ability to throw strikes and clearly knows how to navigate an at-bat. His makeup and ability to get outs against top competition make him the best pitching prospect out of Corona High School since Tristan Beck played there before heading to Stanford.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	11/06/2025	FCL Tigers activated LHP Ethan Schiefelbein from the 60-day injured list.
	07/24/2025	FCL Tigers placed LHP Ethan Schiefelbein on the 60-day injured list.
	08/05/2024	LHP Ethan Schiefelbein assigned to FCL Tigers.
	07/24/2024	Detroit Tigers signed LHP Ethan Schiefelbein.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated LHP Ethan Schiefelbein.
	01/30/2024	LHP Ethan Schiefelbein assigned to High School Workout.
	08/16/2023	LHP Ethan Schiefelbein assigned to High School Workout.
	07/06/2023	American activated LHP Ethan Schiefelbein.