A.J. Hinch #14 of the Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are making a bold move to bolster their bullpen as they chase an unexpected playoff berth. Right-handed pitcher Jackson Jobe, the third overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, has been called up to join the team for the final week of the regular season. This surprise call-up comes as the Tigers find themselves in the thick of a playoff push, a situation that seemed unlikely just a couple of months ago.
Jobe, 22, has been nothing short of stellar in the minors this year, posting a 2.36 ERA across 91.2 innings over 21 appearances split between High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A. The majority of his success came at the Double-A level, where he has spent the bulk of the season. His rapid ascent up the Tigers’ minor league ranks is particularly impressive given that he missed a significant portion of the 2023 season due to lumbar spine inflammation. Now, with the Tigers on the cusp of a Wild Card spot, Jobe is being thrust into the major league spotlight.
Ranked as the #2 prospect in all of baseball by *Baseball America*—trailing only Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony—Jobe’s debut comes with plenty of anticipation. The Tigers will look for him to play a key role out of the bullpen, potentially offering some much-needed stability in high-leverage situations. His call-up is a testament to his talent, but also to Detroit’s belief that their postseason aspirations are legitimate.
Interestingly, Jobe was selected one spot behind Jack Leiter, the highly touted pitcher taken second overall by the Texas Rangers in the 2021 draft. At the time, the Rangers were rumored to have strong interest in Jobe, but ultimately had Leiter atop their board. While Leiter has struggled to find his footing in the minors, Jobe has surged ahead in his development, showing why he was such a coveted prospect. The contrast between the two pitchers adds an extra layer of intrigue to Jobe’s arrival in Detroit.
The Tigers’ unexpected playoff surge is one of the biggest surprises in baseball this year. After being sellers at the trade deadline, shipping off players like Carson Kelly and Andrew Chafin to the Rangers, Detroit appeared to be in full rebuild mode. However, a red-hot streak over the last few weeks, combined with collapses by both the Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals, has vaulted the Tigers into Wild Card contention. Detroit’s resilience has them positioned to potentially claim a playoff spot, something that seemed far-fetched earlier in the season.
The American League’s wild postseason race this year means that a mid-80s win total could be enough to clinch a playoff spot. While teams like the Texas Rangers—last year’s World Series champions—have struggled down the stretch, the Tigers are taking advantage of the chaos. Jobe’s arrival gives them another weapon as they aim to complete their remarkable turnaround.
With just a week remaining in the regular season, the Tigers are pulling out all the stops. Whether or not Jobe can live up to his top prospect billing in such a short time remains to be seen, but Detroit is betting big on his ability to contribute immediately.
In a season full of surprises, the Tigers’ late surge—and Jackson Jobe’s debut—might be the biggest one yet.
