Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40

Pacheco has had a long and frustrating path in the Minor Leagues since the Tigers drafted him early in the second round in 2021. Once seen as part of a prospect wave with good friend and fellow draftee Jackson Jobe, Pacheco has battled a long swing and a long list of injuries, all of which led to parts of four seasons at High-A West Michigan. Yet just when his career seemed at a crossroads, his latest stint as a Whitecap was his best. While top prospects Kevin McGonigle, Max Clark and Josue Briceño came through on their way to Double-A, Pacheco was a full-season performer, setting career highs in home runs, RBIs and OPS while cutting his strikeout rate by 5 percent and nearly doubling his walk rate. He was named the Midwest League’s Most Valuable Player at season’s end.

Pacheco has always had impressive raw power at the plate, but until last year he didn’t make consistent enough contact to do much with it. He developed a better understanding of pitches he can mash, cut down on swinging at pitches he can’t and became a more disciplined hitter. The result was not just a drop in his strikeout rate, but a lower ground-ball rate and a higher contact rate on his swings. His flyball rate jumped, as did his home run-per-fly ball ratio and hard-hit rate. After speculation he could move to first base, he became a more stabilizing force at third, though not a standout beyond a strong arm. It could be hard for him to stay at the hot corner in an organization with plenty of options there.

For all the years in West Michigan, Pacheco was still slightly below the average age in the Midwest League for his impressive 2025 season. He still has a lot of work to do to find a way into Detroit’s plans, but Parker Meadows and Wenceel Pérez are reminders that some players need more time at High-A before finding their path to the Majors.

Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

Ranked 30th overall in the 2021 Draft class by MLB Pipeline, Pacheco went to the Tigers with 39th overall pick and signed for well above slot at $2.75 million to go pro instead of heading to Texas A&M. He’s been on a roller coaster ride of development ever since, as he’s still yet to break above High-A in his age-22 season. That said, this Midwest League trip has easily been his best yet with his walk rate and quality of contact each surging. On a team that once boasted top prospects Kevin McGonigle, Max Clark and Josue Briceño, Pacheco has been one of West Michigan’s best performers throughout the summer. 

Still around average age for the MWL, Pacheco has shown a more mature approach in ’25, focusing more on pitches he can drive while cutting down on some of his chase outside the zone. His infield popup rate has been more than halved as a result, and the natural power in his 6-foot-3 frame has played more easily without him trying to play into it with every swing. He’s still a threat to miss on softer stuff, especially changeups, but his more controlled swing makes him a potential doubles machine to the pullside.

A shortstop as a prepster, Pacheco moved over to third base early in his pro career, and he has the hands, footwork and arm strength to stick at the hot corner, though he’s mixed in the occasional first base in the last two years. Pacheco’s hit tool will be the biggest determining factor in him breaking into future Detroit infields, but the trajectory on the roller coaster is pointed back upward.

Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 45 | Run: 40 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40 

The Tigers passed on several high school shortstop prospects at the top of the 2021 Draft to take Jackson Jobe, a decision that looks better now than it did then. Pacheco was part of that shortstop class, a projected first-round pick behind Marcelo Mayer, Jordan Lawlar and Brady House. When Pacheco fell to Detroit’s second-round selection, he looked like a bargain, even with a near-immediate move to third base. After an encouraging first pro season in 2022, Pacheco struggled at High-A West Michigan with a 31.5 percent strikeout rate, a .283 on-base clip and .352 slugging percentage.  

Though Pacheco had some of the best left-handed power in his Draft class, it has yet to emerge in a full Minor League season, largely due to inconsistent contact. His swing generates plenty of lift and pull side power, but while he cut down on his ground-ball rate, he struggled to generate enough line-drive power. His aggressiveness landed him in too many two-strike counts, where he struggled to stay in the zone and extend at-bats. He struck out in 37 percent of his at-bats against left-handed pitchers last year. His shortstop background gives him good hands and steps at third base, but his big frame limits his mobility. 

Now 21, Pacheco still has plenty of time to learn and adjust, but with another group of well-regarded infielders coming up from Single-A Lakeland, he risks being passed over unless he can develop better at-bats and adapt to the Tigers’ offensive goal of controlling the strike zone. His offense will determine his trajectory. 

Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40

Pacheco was one of the more impressive left-handed power hitters available in the 2021 Draft, projected by some as a first-round pick. The Tigers saw an opportunity to add some much-needed punch to their system when he fell into the second round. What was expected to be a patient path for him through the farm system picked up a bit when the Tigers promoted the teenager from Single-A Lakeland to High-A West Michigan for the final month.

Pacheco worked on trying to catch up with high fastballs with a hitting instructor in Houston before the 2022 season. The result was a simple swing that doesn’t have much extra motion, designed to give him an extra split-second to recognize and react to pitches. He dropped his strikeout rate from nearly 35 percent at Rookie-level ball to 21.6 percent in Lakeland and 23.3 percent at West Michigan, while also improving his line-drive rate and tempering his flyball tendencies. That K rate has climbed back above 30 percent in the Midwest League this season, however. In the field, he’s a good athlete for his size and has the arm to handle third base, though his footwork could improve. Some scouts wonder whether he could eventually move to first base or left field, but the bat should give him a chance to compete regardless of position.

The Tigers have enough infield depth at the upper levels to be patient with Pacheco. He has shown good ability to adapt and improve, which could prove key to him eventually getting an opportunity in the big leagues. He might not be in the same category as the top shortstop prospects from his 2021 Draft class, but he has the chance to become an everyday player with some work.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45

The Tigers bypassed top high-school shortstop Marcelo Mayer to take pitcher Jackson Jobe with the third overall pick in the 2021 Draft, then pivoted when Pacheco was still available with their pick early in the second round. Pacheco likely profiles more as a third baseman, but the Tigers were more enamored with the hitter than the eventual position. He signed above slot value for the 39th overall pick at $2.75 million.

Pacheco’s build reminds some of Nick Castellanos, who also was a high-school shortstop before shifting to third base at the start of his pro career. Pacheco moves well for his size with a good first step, but isn’t particularly quick. His reliable hands and strong arm can fit well at the hot corner. Regardless, he’ll find a spot on the field if he can translate his power to the pros. He’s a dead-pull hitter whose swing can get long at times, leaving him susceptible to adjust to breaking pitches, but his raw strength shows when he connects. He has a mature mental approach for his age and a solid work ethic.

The Tigers can afford to be patient with Pacheco given their influx of infielders in recent drafts. His left-handed power has the potential to make Comerica Park’s right-field bleachers look short if he can refine his swing and adjust to offspeed pitching.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

Pacheco has a lot of similarities to Brady House, the Nationals’ first-round pick from the same 2021 Draft. Both have huge raw power but struggled on the showcase circuit this summer, and both are shortstops who likely will shift to third base in pro ball. While House is the better prospect, Pacheco has the advantages of batting left-handed and slightly better athleticism and size. Ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 30 Draft prospect, he went at No. 39 overall in the second round to the Tigers and signed for well above slot at $2.75 million.

Pacheco creates plus-plus raw pop with strength, bat speed, leverage and loft. He performed well at the East Coast Pro showcase but otherwise swung and missed excessively during the summer while selling out for home runs. He got too pull-happy and chased too many pitches out of the strike zone, though he had shown a better approach previously and settled down some during the spring prior to the Draft.

Though he has good infield actions for his size, Pacheco has fringy speed that may eventually necessitate a move to third base. The Texas native has soft hands and plus arm strength, leading some evaluators to believe he can develop into a plus defender if and when he moves to the hot corner. Ultimately, most of his value will come from his offensive production, and that will hinge on his ability to make adjustments at the plate.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

Pacheco has a lot of similarities to Brady House, a fellow potential first-round pick from the 2021 high school class. Both have huge raw power but struggled on the showcase circuit this summer, and both are shortstops who likely will shift to third base in pro ball. While House is the better prospect, Pacheco has the advantages of batting left-handed and slightly better athleticism and size. 

Pacheco may offer more left-handed juice than anyone in the 2021 Draft, creating plus-plus raw pop with strength, bat speed, leverage and loft. He performed well at the East Coast Pro showcase but otherwise swung and missed excessively during the summer while selling out for home runs. He got too pull-happy and chased too many pitches out of the strike zone, though he had shown a better approach previously and has settled down some this spring. 

Though he has good infield actions for his size, Pacheco has fringy speed that will necessitate a move to third base. The Texas A&M recruit has soft hands and plus arm strength, leading some evaluators to believe he can develop into a plus defender at the hot corner. Ultimately, most of his value will come from his offensive production, and that will hinge on his ability to make adjustments at the plate.

Awards

MID Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2025

MID Most Valuable Player

Year	Team
2025

MID Player of the Week

Week	Team
05/18/2025

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	04/02/2026	SS Izaac Pacheco assigned to Erie SeaWolves from West Michigan Whitecaps.
	03/05/2026	SS Izaac Pacheco assigned to Detroit Tigers Prospects.
	07/06/2025	West Michigan Whitecaps activated SS Izaac Pacheco from the 7-day injured list.
	06/29/2025	West Michigan Whitecaps placed SS Izaac Pacheco on the 7-day injured list.
	04/25/2025	West Michigan Whitecaps activated SS Izaac Pacheco from the 7-day injured list.
	02/27/2025	3B Izaac Pacheco assigned to Detroit Tigers.
	08/13/2024	West Michigan Whitecaps placed SS Izaac Pacheco on the 7-day injured list.
	08/13/2024	West Michigan Whitecaps activated SS Izaac Pacheco from the 60-day injured list.
	08/13/2024	West Michigan Whitecaps activated SS Izaac Pacheco from the 60-day injured list.
	07/23/2024	West Michigan Whitecaps sent SS Izaac Pacheco on a rehab assignment to Lakeland Flying Tigers.
	07/22/2024	West Michigan Whitecaps sent SS Izaac Pacheco on a rehab assignment to FCL Tigers.
	07/22/2024	West Michigan Whitecaps sent SS Izaac Pacheco on a rehab assignment to FCL Tigers.
	06/13/2024	West Michigan Whitecaps transferred SS Izaac Pacheco from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
	06/07/2024	West Michigan Whitecaps placed SS Izaac Pacheco on the 7-day injured list.
	03/03/2023	SS Izaac Pacheco roster status changed by Detroit Tigers.
	03/03/2023	SS Izaac Pacheco roster status changed by Detroit Tigers.
	03/03/2023	SS Izaac Pacheco roster status changed by Detroit Tigers.
	03/03/2023	SS Izaac Pacheco assigned to Detroit Tigers.
	08/23/2022	West Michigan Whitecaps activated SS Izaac Pacheco from the 7-day injured list.
	08/11/2022	West Michigan Whitecaps placed SS Izaac Pacheco on the 7-day injured list.
	08/03/2022	SS Izaac Pacheco assigned to West Michigan Whitecaps from Lakeland Flying Tigers.
	08/03/2022	West Michigan Whitecaps activated SS Izaac Pacheco.
	04/05/2022	SS Izaac Pacheco assigned to Lakeland Flying Tigers from FCL Tigers West.
	04/04/2022	SS Izaac Pacheco roster status changed by Detroit Tigers.
	04/04/2022	SS Izaac Pacheco assigned to Detroit Tigers.
	07/31/2021	SS Izaac Pacheco assigned to FCL Tigers West.
	07/23/2021	Detroit Tigers signed SS Izaac Pacheco.
	06/16/2020	SS Izaac Pacheco assigned to PG National 3 - Gold.
	06/16/2020	SS Izaac Pacheco assigned to PG National 3 - Gold.
	07/23/2019	SS Izaac Pacheco assigned to 17U National Team Development Program.