After the 1912 season, High signed with the Detroit Tigers as insurance in the event that Ty Cobb held out due to a salary dispute. Cobb did hold out during the early weeks of the 1913 season, and High stepped in as the Tigers' starting center fielder. During the 1913 and 1914 seasons, High appeared in 171 games for the Tigers, principally as a backup for Ty Cobb in center field, and compiled a .248 batting average and .349 on-base percentage.