Tigers have prime 2025 Rookie of the Year candidate and nobody is talking about him

A year after Paul Skenes took home the National League Rookie of the Year, the Detroit Tigers have a player who could have a similar type of season in 2025. Top pitching prospect Jackson Jobe has been hyped up throughout his rise in the minor leagues.

Finally, the Detroit Tigers gave him his first opportunity. Jobe became a surprise addition to the 2024 playoff roster and was utilized out of the bullpen. In 2025, Jobe is projected to slot back into the starting rotation alongside Cy Young and Triple Crown winner Tarik Skubal.

Jobe was selected third overall by the Detroit Tigers in the 2021 First-Year Player Draft out of Heritage Hall High School in Oklahoma City. He reached High-A West Michigan in 2022, Double-A Erie in 2023, and Triple-A Toledo before the team ultimately called up the young flamethrower for the postseason. That is a mighty quick rise, and deservedly so, as he dominated every level he's played at. He's accumulated a career 2.97 minor-league ERA and 1.14 WHIP.

MLB.com insiders Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo recently sat down to discuss candidates for the 2025 MLB season. It seemed to be the consensus that Orioles third baseman Coby Mayo is the favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award. Jonathan Mayo then put Jobe as the next-best candidate to win the award. He was the only pitcher that was mentioned by either insider.

Detroit Tigers Jackson Jobe is a prime candidate to win the 2025 American League Rookie of the Year

Coby Mayo is undoubtedly talented, and Jacob Wilson of the Athletics had a cup of tea in the MLB last season, but many seem to be looking past Jobe. He only pitched four innings in the regular season, recording two strikeouts and not allowing a run. In the postseason, he struggled during his small sample size against a couple of good offensive teams in Houston and Cleveland. That should not bring down the confidence that Jobe has expressed throughout his professional career.

Learning from Skubal throughout the season and having Manager of the Year candidate AJ Hinch as his coach should elevate Jobe's game quickly. It is hard to compare someone to Paul Skenes, but watching a 22-year-old kid throw 102 MPH with an electrifying sweeper is so exciting for a Tigers team that is riding high into 2025 after a great 2024 campaign.

The hype behind this kid should be comparable to the likes of Justin Verlander and Skubal because he has the makings of an absolute star in this league.