Tag: pitchers

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The Detroit Tigers need seasoning

While it appears the Detroit Tigers rebuild is nearing the end, one thing remains, the team needs seasoning. This season the Tigers must show more in the win column than the loss. That means a season of young pitchers grasping the strike zone and hitters grasping the strike zone. Which means good days and bad days.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 4: Kerry Carpenter #30 of the Detroit Tigers in action against the New York Mets during game two of a double header at Citi Field on April 4, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

For the young Tiger hitters like Spencer Torkelson, Kerry Carpenter, and Riley Greene, they can look good on a bat and lost the next. Pitchers adapt, shoot baseball is a game of adaption. For Torkelson who hit 31 home runs and drove in94 RBIs last season, he should expect pitchers will approach him differently this season The same for Carpenter and Greene.

This is part of the next steps in becoming a competitive team. Situational hitting and understanding belt-high fastballs are not coming your way as often this season. Once the young hitters adjust the offense will become more balanced.

DETROIT, MI – APRIL 05: Spencer Torkelson #20 of the Detroit Tigers looks on while batting during the Opening Day game against the Oakland Athletics at Comerica Park on April 5, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the A’s 5-4. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

The Tigers young trio has struggled in the early part of this season. But they have shown better at-bats in the past few games. The good news is it is early and there is time to improve.

Detroit Tiger pitchers have been pretty consistent led by Cy Young Award hopeful Tarik Skubal. The Tigers bullpen has shown up in most games and is a dependable group.

This is the next step for the young Tigers. Start winning games. It is not the expectation but the natural progression in the rebuilding process. The Tigers currently own the #5 ranked farm system in MLB so there is more talent coming. But the parent team has enough talent to be competitive in the division.

This season is worth tuning into even when the team hits a losing streak. To see if they can figure it out.

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Casey Mize impresses during Spring training

Embed from Getty Images Eight months after being drafted number one overall in the 2018 MLB draft. Detroit Tigers rookie Casey Mize wowed during the opening of Spring training. The Tigers have found their future ace.

Casey Mize was a non-roster invite to the big league Tigers camp. He is expected to shoot through the minor leagues. This past Tuesday the Detroit Tigers saw up close just what Mize can do.

103 mph. That is what the speed gun read after Mize wound up an threw his first pitch. Tiger coaches and catchers were in awe. The Detroit Tigers have not had a rookie that did that since Justin Verlander.

Sure hitting 103 mph does not mean future success is sure to follow. However with Casey Mize it is a bit different. He threw strike after strike. at 21 years old in his first big league camp Casey was not phased.

He dipped into all of his pitches. Not only did he throw them all, fastball, curve, slider, changeup, split finger fastball. He had control over all of them. Pop after pop from the catcher’s mitt.

The legend of Casey Mize is already growing. “he is one of the first ones here in the morning and one of the last ones to leave.” Tigers pitching coach Rick Anderson said. Something you do not see in a lot of young players.

Casey Mize is slated to begin the season in Lakeland with the Flying Tigers. Weather will dictate when he moves to Erie P.A. and the Seawolves. In other words not very long.

Casey Mize is expected to arrive in Toledo with the Mud Hens this season. He has all the tools. Matt Manning also has all the tools. Alex Faedo and Franklin Perez have all the tools. Leading the media (in and outside Detroit) to call the four young Tigers pitches the “Fearsome Foursome.”

Right now it is all about Mize. How is destined for greatness. Along the lines of Detroit Tigers greats Hall of Famer Jack Morris and the aforementioned Justin Verlander.

The good news for the Detroit Tigers is there is no need to rush these fantastic prospects. The team is two years away from spending money again. So Detroit can let the pitchers and others develop and then bring them all up together.

The Detroit Tigers pitching prospects look an awful lot like the 1990’s Atlanta Braves pitching staff. That is very good news.