3 reasons to be happy the Detroit Tigers extended Colt Keith before MLB debut

3. An excellent first year of this contract reaps benefits beyond the field.

Speaking of making himself part of the core, success from Keith in year one with the Detroit Tigers would allow them to add some draft capital for 2025 for free. Since Detroit only has two picks in the Top 50 in 2024, some extra high draft picks in 2025 would be nice as a supplement to the farm system.

For those of you scratching your head, the league has implemented new rules and promotions for teams, enticing them to avoid leaving players for years and years, which was the scenario for most of the last decade. The Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) allows players who may win Rookie of the Year (ROTY) to earn their team an amateur draft pick, which is in a special "round between the first and second rounds and is viewed as part of Day 1 of the First-Year Amateur Draft.

Players who finish in the running for the ROTY award and qualify for PPI will also earn their team a pick, but it will be in the international draft. On top of that, if Keith can finish in the top three for voting for the MVP award, he could earn a pick in that compensation round.

It's bold to predict Keith to go out and win a ROTY award, but it sure would be incredible for Keith to break into the league and establish himself in year one.... and.... earn the Tigers some extra draft capital.