WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Detroit Tigers AnalysisDetroit Tigers Prospect NotebookDetroit Tigers Game ThreadsDetroit Tigers NewsDetroit Tigers PodcastsDetroit Tigers AnalysisBattle for Tigers’ last few bullpen jobs going down to the wireNew http://www.piratesfanproshop.com/authentic-josh-bell-jersey ,26commentsUp to ten pitchers are competing for seven or eight bullpen jobsEDTShareTweetShareShareBattle for Tigers’ last few bullpen jobs going down to the wireKim Klement-USA TODAY SportsWith just a week left until opening day, 2019, the Detroit Tigers have seventeen pitchers still in major league camp, vying for five spots in the starting rotation and seven or eight roles in the bullpen. With Michael Fulmer out for the season due to Tommy John surgery, the battle for a spot in the starting rotation comes down to Daniel Norris and Spencer Turnbull. Here is a look at the candidates for the seven or eight bullpen openings, and the chances of each to make the team. A few of these spots are locked up already. Several others have likely candidates, while the final spot or two are still tricky to forecast. Gregory Soto, who spent 2018 at Lakeland, is technically still in major league camp, but will serve a 20 game suspension and figures to be optioned once he has served his time. He’s probably not a factor as a result, but is still with the team.The LocksShane Greene returns as the Tigers’ closer after recording 32 saves last season in 38 chances, tied for seventh in the major leagues. Detroit explored the trade market for Greene a year ago and found it wanting. If he can establish himself as a “proven closer” by July, he could be pitching for a contender, but he will also need to improve on last year’s 5.12 ERA. If he can cut his home run ratio from 1.75 per nine innings in half, he will be well on his way.Chances: LockJoe Jimenez was the Tigers’ lone All Star representative in 2018 and he returns as the primary set up man this season. Detroit’s “closer of the future” struck out 11.2 batters per nine frames with a 2.91 FIP, 1.20 WHIP, while holding opposing hitters to a .219 batting average. Jimenez struggled with an ERA of 7.18 after the all star break last season, but has looked very sharp in spring training. If Greene pitches well and is traded Brad Hand Jersey , or if he falters and is replaced, Jimenez would be the favorite to see ninth inning duties for the Tigers.Chances: LockLikely suspectsBlaine Hardy was one of the bright spots for the Tigers in their dismal 2018 campaign. The 32 year old left hander made 30 appearances including 13 starts for a combined 3.56 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. Hardy cleared waivers and was outrighted to the minor leagues at the start of last season, and he has one option left, but he returns as a relief pitcher who is versatile enough to take on many roles. Chances: Very LikelyVictor Alcantara made his major league debut for the Tigers in 2018, working 30 innings with a 2.40 ERA and a team leading 1.03 WHIP. He has an option left but impressed enough to earn a spot in the bullpen this season, despite struggling early in the spring. Chances: Very LikelyDrew VerHagen was finally allowed to settle into a bullpen role in 2018 and it paid off with a 3.76 ERA out of the bullpen, holding batters to a .202 batting average, a 1.06 WHIP, and a wOBA of just .258. One awful three inning start inflated his season stats. The six foot six right hander has missed 13 days of spring training due to tingling in his neck and shoulder, but will be a part of the Tigers’ bullpen if he is healthy. Chances: Depends on healthDaniel Stumpf was acquired in the Rule 5 draft two seasons ago and has stuck around as a lefty specialist in the Detroit bullpen. His 4.93 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 2018 were slightly worse than his career averages. He is considerably better against left handed hitters, a role that he might see for one more season before rule changes make his role obsolete. If Norris and Hardy are both in the bullpen, Stumpf could be optioned to Toledo.Chances: LikelyThe contendersReed Garrett is this year’s Rule 5 selection who appears likely to stick around the major league club at least for a while. After posting a 2.04 ERA with 21 saves in the Texas organization last year, the hard throwing right hander will make his major league debut with the Tigers this season. He has impressed coaches this spring and figures to slot into a middle relief role.Chances: LikelyBuck Farmer has switched from a starting role for much of his career to a bullpen role last season. The 28 year old right hander is viewed in a long relief role, and he is out of options, so he can’t be sent to the minors without clearing waivers. Farmer is on his last legs, but the Tigers will probably bring him along for one more shot to prove himself before they decide whether to cut bait for good.Farmer has an underwhelming 5.89 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in 20 starts and 89 relief appearances in the major leagues. As a reliever, he posted a 4.03 ERA last season. He did post better numbers during the second half of the 2018 season with a 3.21 ERA while holding batters to a .208 average.Chances: Somewhat likelyJose Cisnero is the lone Non Roster Invitee (NRI) with a chance to make the major league club this spring. The 29 year old right hander last pitched in the major leagues in 2014 with the Houston Astros, and has bounced around the minor and independent leagues since then. The Tigers signed him with an invitation to spring training and he has made the most of it.Cisnero will likely need the Tigers to carry eight relief pitchers http://www.padresfanproshop.com/authentic-brad-hand-jersey , and Norris to be in the rotation or optioned and VerHagen placed on the injured list in order to secure a spot on the major league roster. All these things are possible.Chances: Needs a perfect stormThe wild cardDaniel Norris appeared bound for a bullpen role before Michael Fulmer’s injury, though it was by no means certain. Norris has been inconsistent this spring, but his stuff looks much improved over the quality he had during the multi-season struggle with groin issues. Still, he hasn’t been stretched out as a starter, and his command has still been hit or miss. The loss of Fulmer means the Tigers need him ready in Toledo as their sixth starter, even if Spencer Turnbull gets first crack at the rotation. He may be the final man in the bullpen on the season opening road trip, but beyond that, the Tigers should use their final option on Norris and send him to Toledo to try and recapture his 2016 form and confidence in a starting role. Chances: Somewhat likely on Opening Day, but unlikely to stay in a relief role beyond the first eight games of the season. Expect this pick to change several times before draft day in June."We didn’t highlight every single mock draft that came out leading up to the 2018 MLB draft — it would have gotten very repetitive, as eventual No. 1 overall pick Casey Mize separated himself from the pack early — but trust us when we say that there are a lot of them.How we cover said mock drafts leading up to the 2019 draft remains to be seen, but Baseball America released an early version of theirs, so we’re going to talk about it!In this very early version of a mock draft, Baseball America projects that the Detroit Tigers will draft C.J. Abrams, a high school shortstop out of Georgia, with the No. 5 pick in 2019.A superb athlete with speed to burn, Abrams is the No. 2 prep prospect on Baseball America’s board early on in the draft cycle. MLB Pipeline has him graded as the No. 5 overall prospect in the 2019 class. Both outlets praised his incredible speed and athleticism, which are among the very best in the entire class. MLB Pipeline put a 75 grade on Abrams’ speed, or just below “elite.” Perfect Game clocked him at 6.29 seconds in the 60-yard dash Tyson Ross Jersey , which ranked in the 99th percentile in the 2019 class.While Abrams has superior athleticism, outlets are mixed on whether he will be able to stick at shortstop long term. Baseball America is confident, saying Abrams “has a quick exchange, advanced body control and above-average range.” Pipeline questions his defensive actions, however, saying he might eventually shift to second base or center field long term. Perfect Game hedged between the two outcomes, saying Abrams “has the tools for shortstop but actions might fit very well at second base.”Offensively, Abrams profiles as more of a leadoff hitter. He has a smooth swing from the left side, one that leads to some loud contact but not much power. MLB Pipeline likes what Abrams does with the bat, comparing him favorably to current MLB speed demon Dee Gordon.Pipeline added that Abrams has “significantly more pop” than Gordon — though that’s not saying much, given Gordon has just 15 home runs in eight career MLB seasons.At the top of their mock draft, Baseball America projects that the Baltimore Orioles will take Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman. They note that Rutschman is the near consensus top pick among most sources, and compared his lead over the competition to Casey Mize’s in 2018. Rutschman is the top college prospect on their board, and the No. 1 overall prospect on MLB Pipeline’s list.Behind Rutschman is shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., another player many are hoping will fall a few spots in June. Witt, a prep shortstop from Texas, is the top high schooler in the country and MLB Pipeline’s No. 2 prospect in the class.(h/t 2080 Baseball for the video)
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