BREAKING NEWS: Tigers pick up 2 relievers in minor-league phase of Rule 5 Draft

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – The Tigers did not make a selection in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft for the first time since 2015.

The Rule 5 Draft allows teams to choose unprotected players from other clubs. Three of the ten players chosen were pitchers from the New York Yankees farm system.

There were no unprotected players lost to other teams for the Tigers.

To acquire a player from another organization, teams must pay $100,000. They must keep him on the active roster for the entire 2024 season or return him to his former team. The player is not eligible to be sent to the minor leagues.

Only one of the Tigers’ previous five draft picks, reliever Reed Garrett, failed to make the team.

The Tigers still have two former Rule 5 draft picks in their system: outfielder Akil Baddoo (2020) and right-handed pitcher Mason Englert (2022). Rony Garcia (2019) has become a free agent. Victor Reyes spent five years with the Tigers before leaving at the end of the 2022 season.

The Tigers selected two right-handed relievers in the minor-league phase of the draft, which does not have the same restrictions, Nick Starr from the Texas Rangers and Calvin Coker from the Oakland Athletics.

Starr, 27, struck out 52 batters and walked 14 in 48 1/3 innings at Double-A Frisco last season.

Coker, also 27, pitched in 74 1/3 innings for Double-A Midland and had a 3.15 ERA. He struck out 49 batters and walked 24.

The Tigers lost no players during the minor-league phase, in which 63 players were chosen.

TIGERS’ PAST RULE 5 PICKS

2023: Chose not to make a selection

2022: RHP Mason Englert

2021: No draft due to lockout

2020: OF Akil Baddoo

2019: RHP Rony Garcia

2018: RHP Reed Garrett

2017: OF Victor Reyes

2016: LHP Daniel Stumpf