Detroit Tigers in MLB Rule 5 draft: 5 prospects to watch

And with the No. 5 pick in Thursday’s MLB Rule 5 draft, the Detroit Tigers select …

Nobody?

There is a possibility the Tigers could pass on their selection at the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas. This year’s crop of candidates isn’t incredibly inspiring, and given the team’s current roster makeup, adding another player isn’t a sure thing.

A refresher on the Rule 5 draft: Selections cost $50,000 and must be carried on a team’s active roster for the duration of the regular season, or they will be offered back to the team from which they were selected for $25,000.

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Last year, the Tigers selected outfielder Victor Reyes with the No. 2 pick. Reyes, now 24, hit .222 in 212 at-bats over 100 games for Detroit. After receiving less than part-time playing time in 2018, the team is expected to start him at Triple-A Toledo in 2019 for everyday action.

Reyes put an early season cramp on the Tigers’ 25-man roster, so if they draft a player this year, odds are it will be a pitcher. In theory, non-tendering Alex Wilson opened a spot for a pitcher.

Because the Miami Marlins currently have a full 40-man roster, which prevents them from making a pick, the Tigers could have the opportunity to pick fourth.

Here are five possibilities for the Tigers in the Rule 5 draft:

Riley Ferrell, P

Ferrell, 25, is considered the safest bet to be selected. Ranked as the Houston Astros’ No. 17 prospect according to MLBPipeline.com, the right-hander posted a 1.90 ERA in 21 games at Double-A last season, but struggled at Triple-A with a 6.75 ERA in 22 games. Ferrell throws in the upper-90 mph range with a sharp slider.

Richie Martin, INF

Martin was born in Detroit and is considered the best available hitter in the draft, but he could be selected by the Baltimore Orioles with the top pick. A shortstop, Martin, 24, hit .300 at Double-A with the Athletics last year. His glove is ahead of his bat, but if he builds on last season’s performance, he could be a high-reward pick. The Tigers would certainly have a decision to make if he fell to them.

Kean Wong, INF

Wong, 23, is the most big-league ready player in the draft, but the Tigers have a glut of prospect infielders waiting their turn. In 2018, the second baseman hit .282 at Triple-A with the Tampa Bay Rays. With experience playing the outfield, he is an intriguing pick, because the Tigers could use a utilityman behind Niko Goodrum, who will enter spring training with an inside track at the starting second base job.

Junior Fernandez, P

Fernandez, 22, is best known for his high-octane fastball, which consistently sits in the upper-90 mph range and has occasionally touched triple digits. Fernandez isn’t advanced — he hasn’t pitched above Double-A — but the St. Louis Cardinals’ farm hand could follow a similar path to Jordan Hicks, who zoomed onto the scene last season. Fernandez combined for a 3.52 ERA last season. He is ranked as the No. 14 prospect in St. Louis’ system.

Trevor Clifton, P

It seems highly unlikely the Tigers will target a starting pitcher because of their log-jammed starting rotation, but Clifton looks the best of the bunch. At 23 years old, the time is coming for the Chicago Cubs to make a decision on where his best future role is, and perhaps a team will eye him as a reliever in the Rule 5 draft. In 2018, Clifton posted a 3.43 ERA and 1.25 WHIP, with 101 strikeouts in 126 innings.

More: Matt Moore relishes opportunity to start again with Tigers

Contact Anthony Fenech: [email protected] Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech.

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