Detroit Tigers: Who to take in the Rule 5 draft?

The Detroit Tigers have the first pick in the 2017 Rule 5 Draft and the Tigers are rebuilding. What does that mean for Tigers going into the Rule 5 draft?

The Rule 5 draft allows a team to select an exposed minor leaguer for $50,000.  That player must remain on the 25-man roster for the entire season, or be returned to his original team for $25,000.

For the Detroit Tigers, the draft strategy is pretty simple. They can 1.) draft someone who fills an immediate role, or 2.) draft a player with raw talent and a high ceiling. The kind of player that requires investment for a payoff. According to Tigers’ GM Al Avila the team won’t make a final decision on who they’re drafting until tomorrow night.

Given the options the Detroit Tigers have, let’s look at 5 potential picks they can make using their overall number one pick. The Tigers have obvious needs-such as the bullpen or a role player. Each of these players can fill that role, whether its next season or by 2020.