Once viewed as a high-upside draft prospect thanks to his powerful bat, Izaac Pacheco has experienced a turbulent ride through the Detroit Tigers’ minor league system.
Now 22, the infielder is showing notable progress with the High-A West Michigan Whitecaps in 2025, overcoming years of inconsistency and injuries to renew optimism about his potential MLB future.
Early Career and Challenges
Selected 39th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft out of Friendswood High School in Texas, Izaac Pacheco joined the Tigers’ organization with lofty expectations.
Praised for his left-handed power and promising physical tools, he made a strong early impression in his first pro seasons.
But from 2022 through 2024, Pacheco struggled to maintain consistency at the plate, hitting just .216 with 19 home runs across 200 games—mostly with High-A West Michigan.
His rising strikeout rate, which peaked at 17.3% in 2024, further fueled doubts about his ability to handle advanced pitching.
2025: A Year of Transformation
Entering his fourth season with West Michigan, Izaac Pacheco approached 2025 as a make-or-break year.
Determined to turn things around, he spent the offseason refining his plate discipline and pitch recognition—and the results have been impressive:
- Strikeout Rate: Dropped by 5% from the previous season
- Walk Rate: Rose by 4%, signaling improved pitch selection
- Isolated Power (ISO): Doubled year-over-year, reflecting a notable uptick in power production
These gains have translated into real success on the field.
“He works with such intensity. And he has good conversations with Matt Malott, our hitting coach,” said manager Brayan Cappuccilli.
“Izaac likes getting information… just understanding mechanically what he needs to do, and making constant adjustments.”
His progress was on full display during a standout performance on May 14, when he tallied both a double and a triple to help lead the Whitecaps to a 7-0 win over the Fort Wayne TinCaps.
Defensive Versatility and Growth
Though primarily a third baseman, Izaac Pacheco has also logged innings at shortstop and first base, adding to his defensive versatility.
This flexibility boosts his value within the Tigers’ system, giving him multiple avenues to potentially reach the majors.
His defense has notably improved, with more consistent glove work and refined footwork—developments that align with Detroit’s organizational focus on adaptable infielders.
“He plays a really good third base—and he runs the bases aggressively,” said West Michigan manager Tony Cappuccilli.
“Not to harp on it, but his pre-game work is excellent. He’s always doing his primary drills off to the side, focusing on his hands.
“His routine is incredibly detailed. That’s just who he is—he likes to be precise in his preparation.”
