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Tigers call up top pitching prospect Jackson Jobe for AL wild-card playoff push

Detroit is currently in the AL wild-card picture with six games remaining

ian casselberry
Contributing writer
·2-min read
GOODYEAR, AZ - OCTOBER 14: Jackson Jobe #33 of the Salt River Rafters pitches during the game between the Glendale Desert Dogs and the Salt River Rafters at Goodyear Ballpark on Saturday, October 14, 2023 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Right-hander Jackson Jobe was the Detroit Tigers' first-round pick (No. 3 overall) in the 2021 MLB Draft. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

The Detroit Tigers are calling up the organization's top minor-league arm to help with their push for the postseason.

Right-hander Jackson Jobe is being added to the major-league roster before Detroit begins a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday. At 82–74, the Tigers currently hold the third and final American League wild-card spot, behind the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals.

Detroit moved into the wild-card picture on Sunday, with the Minnesota Twins losing both games of a doubleheader versus the Boston Red Sox and the Royals being defeated by the San Francisco Giants.

In the minor leagues this year, Jobe, 22, compiled a 2.36 ERA with 96 strikeouts in 91 2/3 innings, making 21 starts while advancing from high-A to Triple-A. He was Detroit's first-round selection (No. 3 overall) in the 2021 MLB Draft out of Heritage Hall School in Oklahoma City. Jobe began the season ranked as the Tigers' No. 1 pitching prospect, according to MLB.com.

The right-hander and his 102 mph fastball are expected to pitch out of the bullpen for Detroit, reinforcing a relief corps that ranks fourth in the American League (and sixth in MLB) with a 3.60 ERA. As a staff overall, the Tigers' 3.64 ERA ranks third in MLB and second in the AL.

Jobe would be eligible for the postseason if he replaces an injured player, according to MLive's Evan Woodbery. He could take over for Sawyer Gipson-Long, who's on the 60-day injured list. To make room for Jobe on the active roster, the Tigers designated veteran pitcher Shelby Miller (4.53 ERA in 51 appearances) for assignment.

Detroit has made an improbable run to postseason contention in the second half of the season. On Aug. 10, Detroit was 55–63 and 10 games out of the third wild-card spot. The Tigers went 14–5 for the rest of the month and have gone 13–6 so far in September to make a significant jump in the standings.

The Tigers begin a season-ending, six-game homestand on Tuesday, with three games against the Tampa Bay Rays (78–78) and three versus the Chicago White Sox (36–120).