NASHVILLE, Tenn – The Rule 5 Draft turned into a pick up of three for the Detroit Tigers.
Detroit acquired two prospects via trades and selected the third with a draft pick. The Tigers sent infielder/outfielder Justin Henry to the Boston Red Sox and received second baseman Jeff Kobernus in return. In a separate deal, the Tigers acquired southpaw Klye Lobstein from the New York Mets in exchange for cash considerations. Both Kobernus and Lobstein were selected in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft at Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings.
Kobernus, 24, hit .282 with 10 doubles, two triples, a home run, 19 RBI and 42 stolen bases in 82 games with Double A Harrisburg in the Washington Nationals organization during the 2012 season. He led the Eastern League with 42 stolen bases.
Lobstein, 23, compiled an 8-7 record with a 4.06 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 27 starts with Double A Montgomery in the Tampa Bay Rays organization during the 2012 season. He finished second in the Southern League with 129 strikeouts.
Both players would have to remain on the Tigers 25-man roster or be offered back to their original teams. Kobernus was originally with the Washington Nationals, while Lobstein was drafted from the Tampa Bay Rays.
Additionally, the Tigers selected outfielder Eliezer Mesa from the Oakland Athletics in the Triple A phase of this year’s Rule 5 Draft. Mesa saw action with Single A Burlington, Single A Stockton and Double A Midland in 2012, combining to hit .255 with 12 doubles, seven triples, four home runs, 43 RBI and 26 stolen bases in 101 games.
Mesa would have to spend the entire season with the Tigers AAA affiliate, the Toledo Mud Hens.
