The Tigers retained the rights to Rule 5 selection Kyle Lobstein by trading catcher Curt Casali to the Rays, the team announced. Additionally, Detroit outrighted the contract of Lobstein to Double-A Erie.
Lobstein, a 23-year-old southpaw, was chosen by the Mets from the Rays with the tenth pick in December's Rule 5 draft, and immediately traded to the Tigers for cash considerations. After evaluating him over a dozen spring innings, it seems the Tigers didn't want to stash him all year in their big league bullpen but did find him worth retaining. Last year in Double-A, Lobstein posted a 4.06 ERA, 8.1 K/9, 4.3 BB/9, and 0.75 HR/9 in 27 starts. Baseball America ranked him 19th among Tigers prospects, noting "the craftiness to pitch in the Majors."
Casali, 24, hit .270/.365/.427 in 385 plate appearances across A and High-A ball last year. BA wrote that he "profiles as a solid backup catcher at the Major League level."
