Detroit Tigers sign power-hitting Luke Ritter to minor-league contract

BOSTON – Luke Ritter typically does one of three things at the plate.

Two are good, one is bad.

The Detroit Tigers signed Ritter on Friday, April 17, to a minor-league contract, assigning him to Triple-A Toledo. The 29-year-old utility player remains in search of his MLB debut as he embarks on his seventh season in the minor leagues.

Ritter hits home runs and draws walks at above-average rates, but he strikes out too often. He has extensive experience at second base, third base, first base, left field and right field, plus nine innings at shortstop.

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New York Mets infielder Luke Ritter (86) poses for a photo during picture day at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida, on Feb. 20, 2025.

Before joining the Tigers, the right-handed Ritter played in the New York Mets' organization from 2019-25.

He spent parts of the past four seasons in Triple-A Syracuse, hitting .237 with 52 home runs (3.8% home-run rate), 174 walks (12.6% walk rate) and 422 strikeouts (30.6% strikeout rate) across 339 games.

From 2022-25, Triple-A players averaged a 3.1% home-run rate, 11.1% walk rate and 22.7% strikeout rate.

In 2025, Ritter hit .225 with 11 home runs, 51 walks and 138 strikeouts in 115 games at the Triple-A level. He spent 265 innings at third base, 241⅔ innings at second base, 169 innings in left field, 88 innings in right field, 83 innings at first base and one inning at shortstop.