Will Detroit Tigers fans soon see Jackson Jobe as a pitcher in the Major Leagues?
Mark and Evan analyze the likelihood of pitcher Jackson Jobe making his MLB debut. The full Days of Roar podcast is available now.
The Detroit Tigers have promoted right-hander Jackson Jobe, the most promising pitching talent in baseball, from Triple-A Toledo for his MLB debut as the Tigers continue their push for the postseason with six games remaining.
Jobe will pitch out of the bullpen.
The 22-year-old should be eligible to play in the postseason if the Tigers advance.
For that to happen, however, the Tigers must submit a request to the Commissioner’s Office to add Jobe as a replacement for an injured player – such as Sawyer Gipson-Long – who has already served the minimum time required for his activation.
MUST READ: Jackson Jobe, the top talent of the Detroit Tigers, is already learning important lessons in Triple-A
Right-handed reliever Shelby Miller, a 12-year MLB veteran, was designated for assignment to make room for Jobe on the active 28-man roster, as the 40-man roster has just 39 players. The Tigers will make the roster moves official before Tuesday’s opener of a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Comerica Park.
The Tigers have a one-game lead over third and final place in the American League wild-card race and have their fate in their own hands.
Jobe is the most promising pitching prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline. He is also the Tigers’ most promising prospect, just ahead of Max Clark (No. 5).
MORE ABOUT HIM: How Jackson Jobe of the Tigers developed into a top pitching talent shortly before his MLB debut
The Tigers selected Jobe as the No. 3 overall pick out of Heritage Hall High School in the 2021 draft.
In 2024, Jobe posted a 2.36 ERA with 45 walks (12% walk rate) and 96 strikeouts (25.6% strikeout rate) over 91⅔ innings in 21 starts in the minor leagues at three levels. He started three games for High-A West Michigan, 16 games for Double-A Erie and two games for Triple-A Toledo.
Jobe struggled in two starts at the Triple-A level, allowing six runs on 12 hits and five walks with seven strikeouts in nine innings. He threw 83 pitches in his first start and 86 pitches in his second start.
“I didn’t expect to go straight from Double-A to the major leagues,” Jobe told the Free Press last week. “You mentioned this before, Triple-A is an important level. And what I saw the other day is obviously different than Double-A, so there will be more challenges for me here. … I wish the season didn’t end at the end of this week so I could throw more and learn more. But I’m going to try to take as much out of it as I can.”
Aside from his command issues, Jobe has the best pitch mix of any MLB prospect. In his two starts with the Mud Hens, he threw 40.2% four-seam fastballs, 21.9% cutters, 20.7% sweepers and 17.2% changeups.
His fastball has an average speed of 96.5 miles per hour.
THE MAN: Meet Jackson Jobe: MLB’s most promising pitcher will make his Tigers debut
As for Miller, the Tigers will not exercise his $4.25 million club option for the 2025 season, which was tied to the one-year, $3 million contract he signed in December 2023. The 33-year-old, who will soon become a free agent, posted a 4.53 ERA with 13 walks and 49 strikeouts in 55⅔ innings in 51 relief appearances.
Contact Evan Petzold at [email protected] or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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Next: Rays
Comparison: Tigers (82-74) vs. Tampa Bay (78-78), series opener.
First pitch: Tuesday, 6:40 p.m.; Comerica Park, Detroit.
Television/Radio: Bally Sports Detroit; WXYT-0FM (97.1).
Expected pitchers: Tigers – LHP Tarik Skubal (17-8, 2.50 ERA); Ray – RHP Ryan Pepiot (8-6, 3.64).
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