Tigers select RHP Reed Garrett in 2018 Rule 5 draft

Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty ImagesThe Detroit Tigers selected right-handed pitcher Reed Garrett with the fifth pick in the Rule 5 draft on Thursday. Garrett, 25, is a former 16th round pick who pitched in the Texas Rangers’ system in 2018. He managed a 2.04 ERA in 61 2⁄3 innings between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock, and struck out nearly a batter per inning.

Baseball America’s JJ Cooper described Garrett as “a high-octane bullpen arm.” He sports “a mid-90s fastball and a hard slider,” and was good about keeping the ball in the strike zone last season (he only walked 20 batters, a 6.8 percent rate).

As a Rule 5 selection, Garrett will have to stay on the Tigers’ 25-man roster for…