Detroit Tigers announce prospects added to 40-man roster ahead of Rule 5 draft

DETROIT, MI - APRIL 7: A general view of Comerica Park prior to the start of the opening day game between the Boston Red Sox and the Detroit Tigers on April 7, 2017 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 7: A general view of Comerica Park prior to the start of the opening day game between the Boston Red Sox and the Detroit Tigers on April 7, 2017 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Tigers
DETROIT, MI – JUNE 28: A Detroit Tigers hat, glasses and glove sit on the dugout stairs during a MLB game against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park on June 28, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers win on a walk off home run 5-4. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /

Detroit Tigers fans now know which prospects have been added to the 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 draft, according to a tweet from the team’s official Public Relations Twitter account.

Detroit Tigers prospects Grayson Greiner, Mike Gerber, Gregory Soto, Gerson Moreno, Spencer Turnbull, Eduardo Jimenez and Sergio Alcantara have all been added to the team’s 40-man roster.

The Tigers announced the move in a tweet on the team’s official Public Relations Twitter account.

Greiner, a catcher, and Gerber, an outfielder, seems like the most likely to make it to the Majors and make an impact in Detroit next season.

The former essentially replaces Bryan Holaday as the franchise’s third catcher.

In 388 plate appearances for Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo last season, the 25-year-old swatted 21 doubles and 14 home runs to go along with 44 RBI and 34 runs scored.

If the Tigers are forced to rely on James McCann’s primary backup, John Hicks, at another position like first base or designated hitter, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Greiner deputize.

At the very least, he seems a lock to receive a call up in September when rosters expand as a third catcher, if not sooner should McCann or Hicks go on the disabled list.