2025 MLB Draft: Malachi Witherspoon contract details revealed for Detroit Tigers second-round pick

Just over a week after being selected in the second round by the Detroit Tigers in the 2025 MLB Draft, former Oklahoma RHP Malachi Witherspoon has signed his pro contract. He’ll receive $1,451,200 in 2025 — the full value for the being the 62nd overall pick, per Spotrac.

Witherspoon appeared on the mound 15 times, making 15 starts for the Sooners. He logged a 5.09 ERA through 74.1 innings pitched while totaling 91 total strikeouts. That ranked second among all Sooner pitchers.

Moreover, Witherspoon averaged 11.02 strikeouts per nine innings — 14th best in the SEC during the 2025 season. He would eventually end the season with a 4-8 record while holding opposing batters to a .260 batting average.

He proved his ability to remain on to mound deep into his starts, as he pitched at least five innings during nine of his 15 starts last season. This led to him finishing six games with seven or more strikeouts. He logged a career-high 11 strikeouts against Vanderbilt in April.

“Though Witherspoon parks at 95-97 mph and peaks at 99 with his fastball, it lacks life and gets pounded because he doesn’t locate it well. His most effective pitch is a low-80s curveball with depth, though scouts believe his tighter slider in the upper 80s will be his best option in the long run. He can throw a decent upper-80s changeup with fade but doesn’t have much faith in it,” his MLB scouting report reads.

“Witherspoon adds deception to his power stuff with his low three-quarters arm slot, flat approach angle and quality extension. But working exclusively out of the stretch still leaves him with fringy control and below-average command because he doesn’t repeat his mechanics. He’ll probably get the opportunity to start at the next level, but he’ll need to remake his fastball shape and may be a reliever in the long run.”

His brother, Kyson Witherspoon, was also selected in this year’s 2025 MLB Draft. He was selected 15th overall by the Boston Red Sox in the first round. He signed on for $5 million for the 2025 season.

Malachi was at one time seen as the brighter prospect, as Malachi was selected in the 12th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks during the 2022 MLB Draft. Kyson has since surpassed his twin given the success he’s enjoyed on the mound during his time in Norman. In turn, Kyson is now a first-round pick but both proved as sought-after talent in this year’s cycle.