Detroit Tigers: Prospects not on 40-man roster eligible for Rule 5 Draft

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DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 4: Al Avila laughs during a news conference at Comerica Park after he was promoted to executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager on August 4, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. Avila replaces Dave Dombrowski who was the Tigers’ general manager since 2002. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

Detroit Tigers fans could see a number of players added to the 40-man roster this offseason as the team looks to protect players from the Rule 5 draft.

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila will have some decisions to make this offseason.

The general manager has a number of prospects coming through the ranks who need to be added to the 40-man roster in order to be protected from Major League Baseball’s Rule 5 Draft.

The Rule 5 Draft page on MLB.com’s official website wrote the following regarding eligibility:

“Players who were signed when they were 19 or older and have played in professional baseball for four years are eligible, as are players who were signed at 18 and have played for five years.”

Right off the bat that means every player in the Tigers’ 2014 draft class who is still in the organization and not on the 40-man roster is eligible.

Detroit recently added 2014 eighth-round pick Artie Lewicki to the 40-man roster.

Should he stick on the 40-man unit over the course of the offseason, Lewicki will be protected from the Rule 5 Draft.

Other 2014 draft picks of note include outfielders Mike Gerber and Derek Hill, starter Spencer Turnbull, catcher Grayson Greiner and relievers Adam Ravenelle and Paul Voelker.

DETROIT, MI – JUNE 07: A wide view of Comerica Park during a MLB game between the Detroit Tigers and the Los Angeles Angels on June 7, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /

Mike Gerber and Derek Hill

Of the group, Gerber is perhaps the most ready to make an impact in the Majors.

The 25-year-old hit .304 with a .373 on-base percentage, a .496 slugging percentage and an .869 OPS while working extensively as a center fielder.

He added 69 runs scored, 50 RBI, 26 doubles, 14 home runs, 10 stolen bases and three triples in 432 plate appearances predominantly spent with Double-A Erie.

It’s obviously hard to judge a prospect based on production, but it’s hard to ignore how successful Gerber has been at the plate.

He finished the 2017 season with Triple-A Toledo, where he collected eight hits, three runs scored, two doubles, two RBI, two walks and a triple in 20 plate appearances.

Gerber also struck out seven times, but it was encouraging to see the prospect hit the ground running with the Mud Hens.

Derek Hill will likely need a 40-man roster spot as well.

Armed with elite speed and defensive ability, Hill will be an impact player in the Majors if he can contribute somewhat at the plate.

He finished 2017 with Advanced-A Lakeland, and would likely be higher up the ladder if injuries hadn’t previously limited him in his career.

DETROIT, MI – JULY 4: Two A-10 Thunderbolt II ‘Warthog’ military aircraft jets fly over Comerica Park during Independence Day pregame ceremonies before the baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and San Francisco Giants on July 4, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

The Rest of the 2014 draftees

Rounding out the rest of the notable Detroit Tigers 2014 draftees who are potentially eligible for the 2017 Rule 5 draft are Turnbull, Greiner, Ravenelle and Voelker.

Similar to Hill, Turnbull has seen his career held up because of injuries.

Now 24, the former second-round pick made it to Erie this season. In 112 total innings, the right-hander worked to a 3.70 ERA, a .239 batting average against and 102 strikeouts.

Ravenelle and Voelker could both factor into the Tigers’ bullpen plans long term.

Both throw extremely hard and have promising off-speed deliveries.

Ravenelle spent 2017 with the SeaWolves, posting a 1.529 WHIP, 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings and a 3.54 xFIP.

Fellow reliever Voelker made the jump from Erie to Toledo late in the year, going on to appear in a pair of games for the Mud Hens.

All told, the right-hander notched a 2.00 ERA, 10 strikeouts per nine innings and a 1.056 WHIP. He walked just nine batters in 36 innings.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the 25-year-old appear in the Majors next season. One player who could join him is catcher Grayson Greiner.

Greiner ended 2017 with Triple-A Toledo. He mashed 36 extra-base hits in 388 plate appearances split between Double-A and Triple-A.

It’s conceivable that he could take over as the team’s third catcher behind James McCann and John Hicks.

DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 18: Alex Presley #14 of the Detroit Tigers bats during the eighth inning of the game against the Boston Red Sox on August 18, 2016 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Red Sox 4-3. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

Other prospects

Kody Eaves

This isn’t Eaves’ first time being eligible for the Rule 5 Draft, but he’s worth a look adding to the 40-man roster this time around.

An infielder with pop (19 doubles, 13 home runs and three triples in 367 plate appearances), Eaves has played second base, third base and shortstop in his minor league career.

After hitting .222 in 2016 with Erie, the 24-year-old batted .271 in stints with the SeaWolves and Mud Hens.

In the case that Victor Martinez isn’t on the Detroit Tigers roster next season and the team decides to move Miguel Cabrera to designated hitter and go younger, it may be prudent to hand the first base job to a prospect like Ficociello instead of a veteran like Efren Navarro.

A potentially useful bench piece, Ficociello can play the infield and outfield corners. He’s also seen some time at second base in his career.

Harold Castro

With the Tigers’ lack of prospect depth at second base, Harold Castro has emerged as a prospect to keep an eye on down the line.

A 23-year-old who spent the majority of 2017 with Erie, Castro hit .295 with a .328 on-base percentage in 482 plate appearances this season.

He also added 33 RBI, and perhaps most importantly, 22 stolen bases.

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Detroit Tigers: Notable prospects not on 40-man roster eligible for Rule 5 Draft