MLB Pipeline shockingly predicted Tigers' latest roster move days before it happened

Right-hander Dylan Smith may not be ranked among the Detroit Tigers' top 30 prospects, but his name is one that fans now must keep an eye on. Late Thursday night, it was reported he would be selected to join the active roster.

At this point, we're still waiting for a corresponding move, but it's expected Smith will join the team in Kansas City.

Funny enough, about a week and a half ago, Jonathan Mayo, Jim Callis and Sam Dykstra of MLB Pipeline recently named Smith the Tigers' "most pleasant prospect surprise," highlighting the encouraging progress he has made in Detroit's farm system this year after transitioning from a starting role to the bullpen.

"The 2021 third-rounder was a starter for the first three seasons of his career but never managed more than 88 1/3 innings in a campaign due to injuries, most recently a strained subscapularis in 2024," Mayo, Callis and Dykstra wrote."He transitioned into the Double-A Erie bullpen this season with great success (1.80 ERA, 27 strikeouts in 20 innings) before a move to Triple-A this week. With a fastball that can touch the upper 90s and a diving slider, Smith could put himself in a spot to help the MLB relief corps in ‘25."

Yes, you read that correctly. With just over a week of Triple-A experience under his belt, Smith has become a Major League bullpen option for the Tigers in 2025.

MLB Pipeline predicted unranked Tigers prospect Dylan Smith would make MLB debut in 2025

Selected in the third round of the 2021 MLB Draft, Smith had a standout collegiate career as a starting pitcher at the University of Alabama. The right-hander has had a rough go of it in pro ball, however, with multiple injuries to his throwing arm setting him back in his development.

Smith ultimately made a move to the bullpen during spring training this year as a logical next step to help keep the injuries in check, and it's already paying major dividends. Smith has a sparkling 1.61 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings pitched across 14 games this season between Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo. He has yet to allow a run at the Triple-A level, striking out five batters and earning a save in 2 1/3 innings of work at Toledo.

The Tigers' Major League bullpen is in good shape for now, but there is no such thing as too much pitching depth – especially for a team looking to make a run at an American League Central division title. The unit is starting to show some cracks, though, so perhaps Smith's presence can help stabilize things.

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