It's hard to fathom that the 2025 MLB regular season is almost over, as the second week of August continues. Even though the post-All-Star break ride has been bumpy, the Tigers' outlook is still promising as they boast an American League Central-leading 66 wins ahead of the campaign's final stretch.
The Tigers will be getting some help during their playoff push once MLB rosters expand from 26 to 28 on Sept. 1. A handful of players in the minor-league system are potential call-up candidates, including one hurler who can lock down a promotion with a strong August performance.
Tigers RHP RJ Petit Can Guarantee Call-Up with Strong August
Winning a World Series is a team effort, and a good chunk of that success stems from having a reliable bullpen. Although the Tigers' collection of relief hurlers is solid, they could look to add a minor-league arm to that mix once rosters expand, making right-handed pitcher RJ Petit a potential call-up candidate.
Petit, 25, has been in the Tigers' system ever since he was a 14th-round pick back in 2021. He fought hard to work his way up the rankings, culminating in his beginning the 2025 season with Double-A Erie. He was already solid for the SeaWolves last season, and his latest performance exceeded those results as he went 6-1 with a 2.70 ERA, two saves, and a 0.946 WHIP in 27 relief appearances (1 start) before being promoted to Triple-A Toledo last month.
While some players take a step back upon being promoted to a higher league, that hasn't been the case for Petit. The Rock Hill, SC native has pitched to a 1-1 record and 3.00 ERA in his first five games with the Mud Hens, which has seen him strike out seven batters with only two earned runs on four hits in six innings.
If Petit maintains his momentum throughout August, there's no reason why he shouldn't be in the Tigers' bullpen come September. He's excelled at every level he's played at so far, and it's only taken him a couple of weeks to prove that he might already be too good to be pitching for Toledo.
With his also having been promoted multiple times in every season as a pro except 2024, all signs point to Petit seriously being in the mix to be on the Tigers' postseason roster unless he gets in his own way.