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

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.

Next: This pitcher should be the Tigers' 5th SP

He may struggle in 2018, but his upside is worth taking a gamble on. Especially for a team already in full rebuild mode.