DETROIT — Once the post-draft experiment with converting Corey Knebel to a starter was scrapped, you kind of had to expect that he was going to be a fast-riser through the Detroit Tigers’ system.

The former University of Texas closer, drafted by the Tigers in the sandwich round of last summer’s MLB Draft, was moved up to Triple-A Toledo after last night’s game for the Double-A Erie Seawolves.

Knebel, 22, had 15 saves for West Michigan in 31 games after last year’s draft, posting an 0.87 ERA, and striking out 41 in 31 innings. This year at Erie, he’s 3-0 with a 1.20 ERA in 11 appearances, striking out 23 and walking eight.