Detroit Bids Farewell to the “Silent Warrior” as RJ Petit is Snatched Up by the Rockies
In an emotional day at the MLB Rule 5 Draft, R.J. Petit, the 6-foot-8 tall reserve shooter formerly part of the Detroit Tigers’ development system, was officially selected as the No. 1 pick in this Draft by the Colorado Rockies, after Detroit did not protect him on their 40-man list. The sad news for Tigers fans was immediately transformed into a thank you message as Petit expressed his gratitude to the Detroit community for their unwavering support throughout his journey.
With the Rule 5 Draft, the Rockies were forced to keep Petit on their 26-player roster for the entire 2026 season, or they would have to return him to the Tigers if they couldn’t retain him on the starting lineup. Petit, 26 years old, was the 14th-round pick for Detroit in 2021 and had a standout 2025 Double-A and Triple-A season with a 2.44 ERA, 79 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings – numbers that led the Rockies to decide to promote him.
However, Petit’s departure wasn’t just a dry trade news item — it quickly became a story of gratitude, loyalty, and fighting spirit, as Petit sent a heartfelt thank you to the Tigers fanbase.
In a statement to the press after hearing the news, Petit expressed his overwhelming emotions:
“Detroit is where I learned to be resilient, to stand firm against any challenge. Every ball, every throw… carried the cheers of you in the stands. I will carry the biggest part of myself — the Tigers spirit — wherever I go.”
These words not only brought tears to the eyes of Tigers fans — but also recalled the loyal fan base that had followed the team through many challenging seasons. Petit was clearly more than just a reserve quarterback — he was an icon of resilience and passion.
Petit was once one of the No. 30 contenders in the Tigers’ system, but was not protected from the Rule 5 Draft when Detroit decided to keep its full 40-man roster. This put him in the sights of the Rockies, the team with the first draft pick in the reverse order of the MLB rankings.
Standing 6-foot-8, with a fastball speed of 95-97 mph, a disruptive slider, and a WHIP of 1.05, Petit was a pitcher with great potential for the Rockies. But before embarking on that new chapter, he sent a heartfelt thank you to Detroit—the place that nurtured his talent throughout his early career.
As Petit’s statement spread on social media, Tigers fans not only offered condolences but also expressed pride. Comments became a kind of “reverse thank you” for him:
“Petit always fought to the very last second—thank you for everything.”
“You carried the Detroit spirit wherever you went.”
“Even in the Rockies, a part of your heart was still Tigers.”
The Tigers’ sense of community was evident, making the day of “losing a player” a day to remember the beauty of baseball: loyalty and gratitude.
While Rule 5 forced the Rockies to keep Petit on the roster for next season, Detroit proved the depth of its system and its ability to produce players worth watching. They may have lost him technically, but they never lost the support Petit acknowledged from the Tigers Nation community.
Petit chose to use this moment of selection to express gratitude rather than bitterness. He wasn’t just a transfer player — he was an emotional bridge between Detroit and those who believed in him.
Given what happened, this year’s Rule 5 Draft wasn’t just about roster selection — it was a story of gratitude, about how a young man grew up carrying his love of baseball… and dedicated it to the fans who have always been there.
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