Tigers call up top pitching prospect Jackson Jobe for AL wild-card playoff push

The Detroit Tigers are calling up the organization’s top minor league arm to help out with their push for the postseason.

Right-hander Jackson Jobe is being added to the major league roster before Detroit begins a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday. At 82–74, the Tigers currently hold one of the American League’s three wild-card spots with the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals.

Detroit moved into the wild-card picture Sunday with the Minnesota Twins losing two games of a doubleheader versus the Boston Red Sox while the Royals were defeated by the San Francisco Giants.

Jobe, 22, compiled a 2.36 ERA with 96 strikeouts in 91 2/3 innings, making 21 starts while advancing from high Single-A to Triple-A. He was Detroit’s first-round selection (No. 3 overall) in the 2021 MLB Draft out of Heritage Hall School in Oklahoma City. Jobe began the season ranked as the Tigers’ No. 1 pitching prospect, according to MLB.com.

The right-hander and his 102 mph fastball are expected to pitch out of the bullpen for Detroit, reinforcing a relief corps that ranks fourth in the American League (and sixth in MLB) with a 3.60 ERA. As a staff overall, the Tigers’ 3.64 ERA ranks third in MLB and second in the AL.

Jobe would be eligible for the postseason if he replaces an injured player, according to MLive’s Evan Woodbery. He could take over for Sawyer Gipson-Long, who’s on the 60-day injured list. To make room for Jobe on their active roster, the Tigers designated veteran pitcher Shelby Miller (4.53 ERA in 51 appearances) for assignment.

Detroit has made an improbable run to postseason contention during the second half of the season. On Aug. 10, Detroit was 55–63 and 10 games out of the third wild-card spot. They went 14–5 for the rest of the month and have gone 13–6 in September to make a significant jump in the standings.

The Tigers begin a season-ending, six-game homestand on Tuesday, with three games against the Tampa Bay Rays (78–78) and three versus the Chicago White Sox (36–120).