The Detroit Tigers today announced that Rob Metzler has joined the organization as Vice President and Assistant General Manager. Metzler comes to the Tigers after 15 seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, including the last seven as the Senior Director of Amateur Scouting where he led the club’s MLB Draft processes. 

His efforts in Tampa Bay helped lead the organization to frequent rankings as one of the top farm systems in the game and significant positive results on the field at the Major League level. 

“I hope all Tigers fans will join me in welcoming Rob and his family to our organization,” said Scott Harris, Detroit Tigers President of Baseball Operations. “I am thrilled to add an executive of Rob’s caliber to lead our Amateur and International Scouting departments. Rob’s track record of success with the Rays speaks for itself, and his innovative approach to talent acquisition will help us achieve one of our main goals: to acquire, develop and retain young talent in Detroit.”

In his most recent role with the Rays, Metzler was responsible for all day-to-day scouting activities within the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico in preparation for the MLB Draft. Among many accomplishments he was responsible for drafting 2022 All-Star Game starter Shane McClanahan, as well as current Major Leaguers Nathaniel Lowe, Joe Ryan and Taylor Walls. Those results helped Tampa Bay develop a great core of young talent, helping them reach the postseason in four consecutive seasons.

“This is a tremendous opportunity and I’m excited to work with Scott and the rest of our baseball operations staff,” said Metzler. “We’re going to hit the ground running to ensure our processes of amateur scouting at both the domestic and international levels are the best they can possibly be, and search for the most comprehensive information possible to help inform our decision making. I’d also like to thank the Tampa Bay Rays organization for an incredible 15 seasons, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we accomplished. The reason I’m here in Detroit is to bring that same energy, passion and innovative spirit, culminating with winning baseball on the field at Comerica Park for years to come.”

Two Rays players who were recently drafted by Metzler are currently ranked in MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospects: No. 20 Taj Bradley (2018, 5th round) and No. 81 Carson Williams (2021, 1st round). In recent years numerous other Tampa Bay draft picks were on the top 100 list, including Josh Lowe (No. 73 in 2021, drafted in 2016 1st round), Greg Jones (No. 84 in 2021, drafted in 2019 1st round), and Brendan McKay (No. 12 in 2020, drafted in 1st round in 2017). 

Prior to joining the Rays, Metzler interned for the Boston Red Sox, Baseball Info Solutions and the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League. He also served as an assistant coach at Roger Williams University. 

A native of West Hartford, Connecticut, Metzler earned a physics degree from Bowdoin College, where he also played baseball, and a master’s dual-degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Rob and his wife, Lindsey, have one daughter, Jordan.