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The Detroit Tigers selected Florida Gulf Coast Eagles two-way standout Tyson LeBlanc in the Competitive Balance Round B of the 2026 MLB Draft with the 69th overall pick on Saturday afternoon. The junior from Tampa, Florida, bats left-handed and throws right-handed, and his slot value is set at $1.25 million. MLB Pipeline rated him as the 101st-best player in the class
Dempsey stands at 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 205 pounds, with an overall grade of 45 on the mound, with a fastball grade of 50, a curveball grade of 55, a slider grade of 50, a changeup grade of 45 and a control grade of 55, according to MLB.com’s scouting report.
“Dempsey’s athleticism definitely plays on the mound with an intriguing combination of an electric fastball and a pair of breaking balls as his go-tos nearly all of the time,” his scouting report states. “He’s been sitting around 92-94 mph more often than not, touching 95 at times. His velocity has been down a touch with fatigue from double duty as an outfielder playing a part and leading evaluators to believe there’s a few ticks to come when he focuses on pitching only.
“He gets elite spin rates north of 3,000 rpm with his breaking stuff, leading with an 80-82 mph curve that has 11-to-5 shape and misses bats when it’s on. He can change his arm slot at times to get on top, something that will have to be addressed at the next level because good hitters will pick that up. He also spins a harder slider, and while he’s shown a fringy changeup, he doesn’t use it much. He’s been a solid strike-thrower.”
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In the field and at the plate, he has an overall grade of 45, with a hit grade of 50, a power grade of 40, a run grade of 50, an arm grade of 60 and a fielding grade of 50.
“At the plate, Dempsey has a good feel for hitting from the left side of the plate, taking professional at-bats, working counts and making a ton of contact, though he’s yet to show much impact. There’s more ceiling with him on the mound, reminding some of a Luke Weaver-type, who should get a chance to start out of the gate, but could eventually land in the bullpen,” according to his scouting report.
During the 2026 campaign, the 20-year-old hurler earned numerous accolades with the Eagles, including Dick Howser Trophy semifinalist, Golden Spikes Award semifinalist and John Olerud Two-Way Player Award semifinalist honors, as well as the Atlantic Sun Conference Pitcher of the Year while making the All-ASUN First Team as both a pitcher and an outfielder.
Dempsey led FGCU with 226 plate appearances, 57 runs scored, 18 doubles and 15 stolen bases, while adding 76 hits, 45 RBIs, 10 home runs and 26 walks. He also paced the Eagles with 82 2/3 innings pitched, 116 strikeouts, 110 strikeouts, while logging two complete-game shutouts.
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