Tigers Tap Rob Metzler to Lead Amateur and International Scouting

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Rob Metzler headshot
Courtesy of MLB

The Detroit Tigers have named Rob Metzler vice president and assistant general manager, joining the organization after 15 seasons in various roles with the Tampa Bay Rays.

“I hope all Tigers fans will join me in welcoming Rob and his family to our organization,” says Scott Harris, president of baseball operations for the Tigers. “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.”

Metzler’s tenure with the Rays included seven years as the team’s senior director of amateur scouting. In that role, he was responsible for all day-to-day scouting activities within the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico in preparation for the MLB Draft.

During his time with the Rays, 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. In addition to those big-league players, Metzler’s drafts helped Tampa Bay build and maintain one of the top farm systems in baseball and 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,” says 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.”

Metzler earned his bachelor’s degree at Bowdoin College, where he also played baseball, and a master’s dual degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.