OTTAWA-Detroit Tigers prospect Jordan Lennerton (Langley, BC) was one of seven players added to the club’s 40-man roster yesterday ahead of Major League Baseball’s midnight deadline.
The move protects the slugging first baseman from the Rule 5 Draft which will take place on December 12th at MLB’s annual winter meeting in Orlando.
“To everyone working hard to make a dream happen, don't ever stop. It’s worth it. Thank you @Tigers, I appreciate it,” said Lennerton on his Twitter page after the move was made. He also included the hash tag ‘hardworkpayingoff’.
Coincidentally, the move happened just prior to the Tigers pulling off a blockbuster trade later in the day when they dealt first baseman Prince Fielder to the Texas Rangers in exchange for second baseman Ian Kinsler.
Lennerton enjoyed a breakout in 2013 with Triple-A Toledo as he hit .278/.382/.430 with 17 home runs and 57 RBI’s.
His performance earned him a spot in the Triple-A All-Star game and also the XM Futures Game where he represented Canada in the annual contest that features the top up-and-coming talent from the minor leagues.
Once the regular season ended, the accolades continued for Lennerton as he was named a Rawlings Gold Glove Winner among all minor league first baseman for his sound defensive play.
Currently, the 27 year-old is in Puerto Rico playing for the ‘Leones de Ponce’ in the Roberto Clemente Winter League where he is hitting .333 with three home runs and six RBI’s in 15 games.
Lennerton is a graduate of the Junior National Team program and most recently represented Canada at the 2012 World Baseball Classic Qualifier where he homered against host Germany to help Canada qualify for the World Baseball Classic.
Prior to being selected by the Tigers in the 2008 MLB Draft, Lennerton was a star slugger for Oregon State University where he was a member of their 2007 College World Series championship team.
Click here to view the Tigers 40-man roster.
