The Tigers placed catcher Bobby Wilson on outright waivers Saturday, according to manager Ron Gardenhire (via Chris McCosky of the Detroit News). There is a 72-hour window for a team to claim Wilson. If no one grabs him by Tuesday afternoon, Wilson can either accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Toledo or elect free agency.
The Tigers are clearing out Wilson to make room for catcher prospect Jake Rogers, whom they’re poised to select from Toledo, McCosky reports. A third-round pick of the Astros in 2016, Rogers joined the Tigers a year later as part of their return for ace Justin Verlander.
The 24-year-old Rogers is known for his defensive prowess, but he raked at the Double-A level this season en route to a promotion to Triple-A ball. Since joining Toledo’s roster, Rogers has batted .223/.321/.458 (95 wRC+) with nine home runs in 191 plate appearances. In its most recent assessment of the Tigers’ farm system, Baseball America (subscription link) rated Rogers as the organization’s 13th-best prospect and wrote that he could “help Detroit in the near future.”
There is a realistic path to plenty of immediate playing time for Rogers, as Wilson, John Hicks and the now-injured Grayson Greiner have all endured horrific offensive seasons. Tigers catchers have combined for a league-worst 30 wRC+, meaning they’ve been about as useful at the plate as many pitchers. No Detroit backstop has been worse with the bat than Wilson, owner of a .091/.130/.114 line (minus-41 wRC+) in 47 plate appearances since the team promoted him to take Greiner’s place in mid-June. While the well-traveled 36-year-old has never been much of a hitter, the Tigers certainly expected better than what they’ve gotten from Wilson.
Finally!
I wouldn’t say that .223 average is considered raking, but at this point he would be an upgrade over Wilson.
I was saying Rogers raked at Double-A, not Triple-A. I made the wording more clear after reading your comment, though, so thanks.
That was in triple a, he hit much better in double a which is where they said he raked
What does the ability to clean leaves out of a yard, raking, have to do with his batting average? Am I missing something here?
Nope, you got it.
Thank you Robert!
Ha Ha Mr. funny!
wrong Jake Rogers link
Our auto-linker fails sometimes. Fixed. Thank you.
Welcome aboard Jake!
That’s weird. He was at the game today
Exactly. Bobby is still in the Tigers dugout.
I’m curious how he turns out. The Astros will always feel they won this deal, but I like seeing how both sides fared.
Connor, BA has Jake up to #7 in the system in their midseason update.
Jake The Rake Rogers?
Jake from Rake Farm.
I’m glad Rogers is getting the call, but I hope Bobby Wilson accepts his assignment. The Tigers obviously love having him around in the minors and he’s an unbelievable guy in the clubhouse. Wish him nothing but the best.
GoOd ClUbHoUsE gUy
“GoOd ClUbHoUsE gUy”
Do you have experience writing ransom letters?
LOL!
Couldn’t agree more! Well said
Help. please.
Why would they burn an option on Rogers instead of waiting for the September call-ups?
And don’t say they need help now. They could have put anyone in Wilson’s place, considering outcome is not a concern this season.
Would waiting until September have saved an option? Does this mean they plan on Rogers starting in 2020? Thanks in advance.
They want Rogers in place and with some MLB experience to prepare him for the SP that’s going to be called up over the next two years…. and beyond, so yes, he will start in 2020.
If Rogers isn’t the starter by next year, this will be another failed trade by big Al.
The Tiger’s catchers were the worst in the MLB, Hicks is a 4A & career back up player who gets to play on a the team because they are crappy, Wilson is a 4A player and an organizational depth guy and who knows what Greiner is yet but he is trending as a career back up. This was a no brainer regardless of his bat. He’s not gong to suddenly change his swing like McCann (Launch angle) so if he keeps it steady, he can hit over .200 which the current catchers have not come close to hitting. He’s the first of many because on Aug 1 4A and veterans who were “hanging on” will all start to get cut. There’s only one trade deadline so everything will get pushed up 30 days now. I think this will lead to them pushing the trade deadline to Aug 15. Can’t believe they did not think of this earlier. They had to know that July 31 is too early for some teams to determine if they are “buyers” or “sellers”.