The Detroit Tigers are making some notable moves across their minor league system heading into 2026, and at the center of it all is Tony Cappuccilli - a name Tigers fans should get used to hearing more often.
After leading the High-A West Michigan Whitecaps to their first Midwest League title since 2015 - and doing it in dominant fashion - Cappuccilli is getting the call up. He’ll take over as manager of the Double-A Erie SeaWolves, replacing longtime Tigers minor league skipper Andrew Graham. The move isn’t just a promotion - it’s a strategic shift that reflects the Tigers’ evolving player development philosophy.
Let’s start with what Cappuccilli accomplished in West Michigan. The 2025 Whitecaps weren’t just good - they were historically great.
A 92-39 record doesn’t happen by accident. In the first half of the season, they were powered by a dynamic top of the order featuring Kevin McGonigle, Max Clark, and Josue Briceño - arguably the best 1-2-3 punch in the league.
But what really turned heads was how the team kept rolling even after that trio moved up to Erie. Even after the Tigers traded away two key arms - right-hander Josh Randall and lefty Micah Ashman - Cappuccilli’s squad didn’t blink.
That kind of resilience speaks volumes about Cappuccilli’s leadership and the culture he’s built. Players have responded well to him, and his approach appears to be in sync with what the Tigers’ front office wants from its development staff.
That alignment is key, especially at Double-A, often considered the biggest leap in the minors. Having a familiar voice like Cappuccilli’s guiding players like Briceño - and potentially Clark or McGonigle, depending on their assignments - could be a major asset.
Meanwhile, Andrew Graham steps aside after nearly two decades in the Tigers’ system. He’s been a steady presence, earning Manager of the Year honors in the Florida State League as recently as 2023. But after 16 years, the timing may have simply been right for a change - both for Graham and the organization.
With Cappuccilli moving up, Rene Rivera will now manage the Whitecaps. Rivera’s no stranger to success either - he led the Lakeland Flying Tigers to a Florida State League title last season in his first year as manager.
Filling Rivera’s spot in Lakeland is Salvador Paniagua, who coached the Complex League Tigers to a championship of their own last year. And Brayan Peña - a familiar face for Tigers fans - will manage the FCL Tigers in the Complex League this season.
At the Triple-A level, it’s status quo for now. Gabe Alvarez returns as manager of the Toledo Mud Hens, with hitting coaches Mike Hessman and Francisco Contreras, and pitching coach Doug Bochtler all back in the fold. That continuity should help as the Tigers look to funnel more of their top prospects through Toledo and onto the big-league roster.
In the Dominican Summer League, Marco Yepez and Sandy Acevedo will continue to lead the Tigers’ two DSL squads.
One thing worth noting: the Tigers have been quietly but significantly investing in their minor league infrastructure. Each full-season affiliate now rolls with a deep coaching staff, plus athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, and even dieticians. That’s a modern approach - and a necessary one - if the organization wants to maximize the development of its young talent.
Still to be determined is who will replace Gabe Ribas as the Tigers’ Director of Pitching. That’s a big role - arguably the most important vacancy in the system right now.
There’s been some chatter about Bochtler as a candidate, but whether he wants to step away from the day-to-day work in the dugout to take on a broader development role remains to be seen. With spring training rapidly approaching, a decision should be coming soon.
For now, the Tigers have set the stage for a new chapter in their player development pipeline. With Cappuccilli moving up, Rivera and Paniagua stepping into bigger roles, and a strong support system in place across all levels, Detroit is clearly betting on continuity, cohesion, and a modernized approach to grooming the next wave of big-league talent.