Twitter Reacts: Fans Want Al Avila Fired after Drafting Pitcher Jackson Jobe

Fans of the Detroit Tigers may have been livid that the team was swept over the weekend by the Minnesota Twins.

So, when it was time for the MLB Draft, there was at least an expectation the team would use the valuable pick on a position player.

Wrong.

Tigers general manager Al Avila and the rebuilding Tigers are catching major heat online from fans who were upset that the team selected pitcher Jackson Jobe with the No. 3 overall pick in the draft.

"Tigers should've taken Marcelo Mayer, in my opinion," said SI All Lions writer Vito Chirco. "And I hate that the Red Sox got him. But, hey, Jobe still might be good. From all accounts, has a ton of upside. But, knowing that the Tigers are weak as an organization at shortstop, along with Mayer sliding to No. 3, I've got to say thumbs down (on the pick)."

The pick generated quite the reaction online, with fans taking to social media to bash the team and the unwillingness of owner Chris Ilitch to spend money.

While this may have been quite the overreaction, there are legitimate concerns when you realize the success rate of high school pitchers is not as high as the success rate of shortstops coming out of high school.

"Detroit’s front office drafted Jobe with the intent of paying him less that the slot value of the third overall pick, but those savings aren’t going to be pocketed by the man who writes the checks," SB Nation's Bless You Boys wrote. "Instead, the express purpose of shaving some cash off one player’s signing bonus is to add some extra padding to another draftee’s bonus. In that way, the team has the financial flexibility to persuade a player to turn pro despite falling past the range of picks with a slot value meeting his bonus demands."

Here is a sample of the reaction of supporters of the Tigers:

Positively asinine. You had THE best SS prospect on the board with Marcelo Mayer, at a position of TREMENDOUS need, and you PASS on him. And you wonder why fans are irate at you.
— Ryan Schuiling (@RyanSchuiling) July 11, 2021

#firealavila pic.twitter.com/xfcoevtNl6
— Amon-Ra the GOAT (@AmonRaTheGOAT) July 11, 2021

Would you expect anything resembling an ounce of competence from a Chris Ilitch owned team at this point?? Took him far too long to get rid of Holland, and he's doing the same for Avila. I guess when everything's handed to you, you don't ever need to know what you're doing...
— Maize & Blue (@DetSportsUofM) July 12, 2021

#FireAvila now
— J Roze (@DetroitRoze) July 11, 2021

For those Tigers fans that have questions abt @jacksonwjobe - Do yourself a favor & do your homework. Best arm in the draft, one of the best players in the draft, even better kid, from a great family. QB, multi-sport state champ, straight up baller. You will grow to love him 💯💯
— Scott Williams (@ScottWilliams) July 12, 2021

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