Detroit Tigers Rule 5 Draft: Max Pentecost is a hypothetical fit

Pentecost

It was a surprising decision by the Blue Jays to not include Pentecost on the 40-man roster.

However, the former first-round pick suffered a shoulder injury in 2014 according to a recent article by Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi.

In his minor league career, he’s been limited to 681 at-bats.

In fact, per the same article, Pentecost was recently shut down in the Arizona Fall League with more shoulder pain.

Pentecost has had no trouble swinging the bat, slashing .276/.332/.434 with a 124 wRC+ in 286 at-bats for Advanced-A Dunedin last season.

In 2016, Pentecost hit .314 with a staggering 154 wRC+ for Toronto’s Single-A affiliate in Lansing.

The fit in Detroit is definitely there.

The Detroit Tigers will go into 2018 with James McCann as their starting catcher.

Beyond McCann, the Tigers are pretty thin.

John Hicks posted a 102 wRC+ in 173 at-bats in Detroit last year. However, he doesn’t make the same kind of impact that McCann does defensively and ended up playing more first base than catcher.

Prospect Grayson Greiner is likely the third-string catcher.

He only has career 18 at-bats at Triple-A. Additionally, at 6’6 he could be destined for a move out from behind the plate to ease his knees.

The 24-year-old Pentecost could be used as a third string catcher and occasional designated hitter for the Tigers.

His strong hitting in the minors and advanced age provide optimism that he could contribute for the Tigers right away.

Between McCann, Pentecost and Greiner the Tigers would have reason to feel confident that the catcher position is set for the future.

Pentecost, like anyone available in the Rule 5 draft, comes with some risks as well.

The shoulder injury has likely hindered Pentecost’s development since he was drafted in 2014.

Pentecost was first injured shortly after he began playing for Toronto’s short-season team in Vancouver. He had surgery after the season, and again in the spring of 2015.

Those surgeries cost him the entire 2015 season and led to yet another surgery in the fall.

When he returned in 2016, Pentecost was exclusively a designated hitter.

Last season Pentecost was used sparingly as a catcher to ease him back. He caught 19 games and played 22 at first base.

He threw out seven of 15 would be base stealers.

Roster Modification

There is a reason position players are rarely chosen in the Rule 5 draft.

Keeping a relief pitcher all season who only throws every few days is easy. Position players need to play a lot to justify their roster spot.

Having someone on your roster who has not even played at Double-A is risky. Pentecost would be taking a roster spot from someone who has more experience than him.

Having said that, the upside in Pentecost’s bat is intriguing and adding a player who could potentially become an above-average hitting catcher is hard to pass up.

If the Detroit Tigers use their selection on Pentecost, they can always return him to the Blue Jays if they need to use his spot elsewhere.

If they are able to keep him on the roster all year, he would become a valuable part of the Tigers future.

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