MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – APRIL 14: Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates after striking … More
The Detroit Tigers are on a mission.
After finishing last season 6.5 games behind the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Central, the Tigers are bound and determined to win the division this season.
Detroit is off to an outstanding start.
As of the end of play, April 21, the Tigers have a record of 14-9, which is 0.5 game ahead of the Cleveland Guardians.
One of the primary reasons for the Tigers early success is the quality of their starting pitching.
The Tigers offer a rotation in which no pitcher is older than 29-years-old.
Led by All Star, 2024 American League Cy Young Award winning lefty, Tarik Skubal, the Tigers have compiled a formidable mix of starters, in a non-conventional six-man rotation.
According to Fangraphs.com, the Tigers rotation includes:
Tarik Skubal-LHP-Age 28
Jack Flaherty-RHP-Age 29
Keider Montero-RHP-Age 24
Reese Olson-RHP-Age 25
Jackson Jobe-RHP-Age 22
Casey Mize-RHP-Age 28
Skubal, Jobe, and Mize have all been top organizational prospects.
More About Skubal, Jobe, and Mize:
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal throws against the Boston Red Sox in the seventh inning of a … More
Tarik Skubal:
Left-hander Tarik Skubal, 6-3, 240 pounds, was a 9th round draft pick of the Tigers in the 2018 draft.
Skubal was selected out of Seattle University, after the Diamondbacks chose him with their 29th round pick in 2017.
MLB had placed a value of $154,700 on Skubal’s draft slot. However, he signed with the Tigers for an over-the-slot $350,000.
Skubal likely slipped in the draft due to him having Tommy John surgery, reacquiring him to miss the 2017 season at Seattle University.
Skubal threw parts of three seasons in his minor league development, starting 30 games in his 38 appearances. In 159.2 innings overall, Skubal registered a 2.03 ERA, and 0.97 WHIP.
Skubal was so good in his development, he was promoted to the Tigers in August 2020, making his debut against the Chicago White Sox, at the age of 23.
In his All Star, Cy Young 2024 season, Skubal threw to a record of 18-4, with a 2.39 ERA, and 0.92 WHIP in 31 starts, covering 192 innings. He struck out an average of 10.7 hitters per nine, while walking only 1.6 per nine. He yielded only 15 homers.
It is his superb command and control that set Skubal apart.
Superb pitching mechanics and a vast repertoire of pitches that he uses at any point in the count make him special.
brooksbaseball.net lists Skubal throwing a four-seam fastball (98 miles per hour) a sinking fastball (98 miles per hour) a changeup (88 ) a slider (90) and a curveball (80.)
So far this season, Skubal has a 2-2 record, with a 2.83 ERA, and 1.11 WHIP in five starts, covering 28.2 innings.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 12: Jackson Jobe #21 of the Detroit Tigers delivers a pitch against … More
Jackson Jobe:
6-2, 190 pound righty, Jackson Jobe, was a 1st round selection of the Tigers in the 2021 draft.
Chosen out of Heritage High School, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Jobe has flown threw the Tigers development program.
The 3rd player taken in the draft, Jobe received a $6.9 million signing bonus from Detroit.
brooksbaseball.net lists Jobe’s repertoire to include a four-seam fastball (97 miles per hour) a sinking fastball (96) a changeup 85) a curveball (81) and a cutter (89.)
Jobe has been regarded as one of the most promising prospect pitchers in the game. He is now getting an opportunity to pitch on the big league stage. And he is earning his keep.
Behind only Los Angeles Dodgers rookie Roki Sasaki, MLB.com listed Jobe as the No. 2 right handed pitching prospect in Major League Baseball.
Jobe was the Tigers overall No. 1 prospect entering the season.
Jobe made his big league debut last September 25, pitching against the Tampa Bay Rays, at the age of 22.
So far this season, Jobe is 2-0 in four starts, covering 20 innings. He is striking out an average of 6.3 hitters per nine, and has walked 4.5 per nine.
Jobe has a 2.70 ERA, and a 1.20 WHIP.
SEATTLE, WA – APRIL 01: Starting pitcher Casey Mize #12 of the Detroit Tigers is congratulated by … More
Casey Mize:
Casey Mize, 6-3, 212 pounds, was the 1st overall selection in the 2018 draft.
Chosen out of Auburn University, Mize received a $7.5 million bonus from Detroit.
The right-handed Mize once wore the mantle of the Tigers best pitching prospect In fact, he was the Tigers No. 1 overall prospect to start the 2019 season, as well as the pandemic shortened 2020 season.
Considered a “can’t miss” prospect, Mize is entering his sixth big league season with the Tigers. He has compiled a career 12-20 record in 63 starts, covering 315.1 innings.
This year, Mize may be meeting his lofty expectations. He has a record of 3-1, in four starts, covering 24.1 innings. He has a fine 2.22 ERA, and 0.94 WHIP.
brooksbaseball.net lists Mize throwing a four-seam fastball at 95 miles per hour, a sinking fastball (95) a slider (86) a curveball (83) and a split-finger (89.)