The Detroit Tigers, one of the oldest and most storied franchises in Major League Baseball, have always prided themselves on their strong farm system and ability to develop young talent. However, in a surprising turn of events, the Tigers found themselves unable to protect one of their most promising pitching prospects in the recent Rule 5 Draft.
For those unfamiliar with the Rule 5 Draft, it is an annual event where teams can select players from other organizations who are not currently on their team’s 40-man roster. These players must then remain on the team’s active roster for the entire season, or be offered back to their original team. This rule is in place to prevent teams from stockpiling talent in their minor league system without giving them a chance to play at the major league level.
In this year’s Rule 5 Draft, the Tigers had to make a difficult decision on who to protect on their 40-man roster. With a deep farm system stocked with highly-regarded prospects, the Tigers were forced to leave one of their top-30 pitching prospects, Alex Faedo, unprotected. This decision ultimately proved to be a costly one as the Philadelphia Phillies used their first overall pick to select Faedo.
Faedo, a 23-year-old right-hander from the University of Florida, was the Tigers’ first-round pick in the 2017 MLB Draft. He quickly rose through the ranks, showcasing his dominant fastball and devastating slider. With a 2.27 ERA and 128 strikeouts in just 123.2 innings pitched, Faedo proved to be a force to be reckoned with in the minor leagues. It was no surprise that he was considered one of the Tigers’ top prospects and expected to make his major league debut in the near future.
Despite his impressive numbers, the Tigers were forced to leave Faedo unprotected due to their limited spots on the 40-man roster. It was a tough decision for the organization, but one that they believed was necessary at the time. However, they did not expect the Phillies to swoop in and snatch up Faedo with the first overall pick.
Many are questioning the Tigers’ decision to leave Faedo unprotected, especially when they had other players on their roster who could have been removed to make room for him. It is understandable that the Tigers wanted to protect their other top prospects, but at what cost? Losing a potential future ace like Faedo could prove to be a major blow to the organization’s future success.
On the flip side, this turn of events could also serve as a wake-up call for the Tigers. It is a reminder that in the world of professional baseball, there are no guarantees. Even the most promising prospects can be taken away in the blink of an eye if not properly protected. This could serve as a valuable lesson for the Tigers’ front office to prioritize their top talent and make the necessary moves to protect them.
The Phillies, on the other hand, are surely thrilled with their acquisition of Faedo. The 6’5″ right-hander adds depth to their already strong pitching rotation and has the potential to be a key contributor in the future. They were able to take advantage of the Tigers’ decision and come away with a top prospect who could make an immediate impact on their team.
While the Tigers may have suffered a setback in the Rule 5 Draft, they still have a deep farm system and a talented core of players at the major league level. This setback should not define their future success, but rather serve as a learning experience for the organization. It is a reminder that in order to remain competitive, teams must constantly evaluate and prioritize their talent both on and off the field.
In the end, the Detroit Tigers may have failed to protect a top-30 pitching prospect in the Rule 5 Draft, but they should not dwell on this mistake. Instead, they should use it as motivation to continue to develop and protect their top talent. The future may have just gotten a little more challenging, but with the right mindset and determination, the Tigers can overcome this obstacle and come out even stronger.
