Tigers Claim Former First-Round Pick Ryan Cusick from Athletics
The Detroit Tigers have made a roster move by claiming right-handed pitcher Ryan Cusick off waivers from the Oakland Athletics, as announced by both clubs. Cusick will join the Tigers’ Triple-A affiliate in Toledo, where he’ll aim to get his season back on track. This move comes after Cusick was designated for assignment by Oakland earlier in the week.
Detroit had a vacant spot on their 40-man roster, which allowed them to add Cusick without needing to make an immediate corresponding move. However, reports suggest the team is preparing to select right-hander Dylan Smith to the big-league roster soon. That decision will require a follow-up roster adjustment. Veteran righty Alex Cobb, who has been sidelined for over 60 days, is a logical candidate to be transferred to the 60-day injured list to create space.
Cusick, now 25 years old, was once considered a promising young arm with high upside. He was selected in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves, taken 24th overall, and received a $2.7 million signing bonus. However, his path to the majors has not gone as planned. In March 2022, just months after being drafted, Cusick was traded to Oakland as part of the package that sent All-Star first baseman Matt Olson to Atlanta.
The Athletics initially used Cusick as a starting pitcher, but his development stalled due to injuries and struggles with refining a third pitch, particularly his changeup. Over the 2022 and 2023 seasons, he pitched a total of 143 innings, mostly at the Double-A level, and posted a 5.60 ERA. Those seasons were marked by inconsistency and control issues, which prevented him from taking the next step.
In 2024, Oakland kept Cusick in the rotation during the first half of the season but shifted him to the bullpen midyear. That move appeared to pay off, as he showed flashes of improvement out of the pen. Over his final 26 innings, Cusick registered a 1.73 ERA with a strong 28.2% strikeout rate. However, he continued to struggle with command, issuing walks to 11.8% of the batters he faced.
Despite his uneven track record, the A’s added Cusick to their 40-man roster last November to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. Unfortunately, his performance in 2025 fell short of expectations. Pitching at Triple-A in the notoriously hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, Cusick posted a 6.75 ERA across 14.2 innings. More concerning than the ERA were his peripheral numbers: a low 16.4% strikeout rate and a troubling 19.4% walk rate. Still, he generated a solid 57.5% ground-ball rate, suggesting there’s some potential value if he can regain his command.
For the Tigers, claiming Cusick is a low-risk gamble on a once highly regarded pitching prospect. He has all of his minor-league options remaining, which means the team can give him time to develop without rushing him to the majors. Detroit’s player development staff will now have a chance to work with Cusick in hopes of harnessing his raw talent and fixing his control issues.
If the Tigers can help Cusick rediscover the form that made him a first-round draft pick, he could become a valuable asset in their bullpen or rotation. At worst, he adds depth to an organization always looking for live arms. For Cusick, this fresh start in Detroit represents another chance to prove he still has what it takes to succeed at the next level.
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