A deeper look at three players now with Detroit who made the Tarik Skubal deal happen

Now that the Tarik Skubal era is officially over in Detroit, here’s a detailed look at who the Tigers got back in Saturday night’s blockbuster deal:

Zyhir Hope was the Cubs’ 11th-round pick in the 2023 draft, out of Colonial Forge High in Stafford, Va. After signing an over-slot bonus for $400,000, this 5-foot-10 outfielder made his pro debut in the Arizona Complex League. In 42 plate-appearances, he had a heavy wRC+ (Weighted Runs Created Plus) of 138 — 38 points above league-average.

In January, 2024, Hope was traded to the Dodgers along with left-hander Jackson Ferris for infielder Michael Busch and right-hander Yency Almonte. A shoulder injury cut nearly three months from his ‘24 season, but Hope, who is a lefty hitter and thrower, shot up the prospect charts by hitting .290/.419/.484 in 272 plate appearances, with a 15.1% walk rate, 22.8% strikeout rate, nine homers, and a meaty 143 wRC+.

Hope was promoted to High-A for the ‘25 season. After hitting .264/.377/.428 with 13 homers, and walk and strikeout rates of 14.9% and 26.5% in 524 PAs, he got a ticket to Double A — at age 20 — for the season’s final six games.

It all worked for a Chesapeake, Va. native, who at Double A this season and ahead of his trade to the Tigers was mashing: .293/.369/.530, 23 homers, with 10.6% walks and 24.9% strikeouts.

Hope was MLB Pipeline’s 25th overall prospect heading into 2026. He is best known for power that’s well above-average, which earns a hefty 65 grade from FanGraphs on the 20-80 scouting scale. But he’s not just a one-trick pony, with above-average speed (18 stolen bases in ‘26) and arm strength that most scouts project will put him in right field.