Detroit Tigers Links: Sanchez’ Changeup, Smyly Excited to Start, and Fister Talks

Oct 17, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez (19) kisses the ball before pitching in game five of the American League Championship Series baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

A Change of Pace for Anibal Sanchez – Jeffrey Long – Beyond the Box Score

"The increase in changeup usage is interesting because it is arguably his best pitch. In fact, according to Fangraphs’ pitch values, Sanchez’s changeup has been his best pitch in every individual season since 2011. In 2010, the last year where Sanchez’s changeup had a negative pitch value, he generated 32.13% whiffs on swings. That is, if he got 100 swings on changeups, roughly 32 of them would be misses. Last season that figure jumped to 41.75%, a substantial increase. Couple that with increased usage and Sanchez is generating a lot more whiffs than he did previously with his change."

Sanchez has gotten lost in the Max Scherzer–Justin Verlander shuffle, but that contract that the club got him to sign a year ago is looking like highway robbery.

Drew Smyly looks forward to being a starter again – Dana Wakiji – Fox Sports Detroit

"“I’ve been starting my whole life,” Smyly said. “I started my rookie year, the first half. I feel like the routine and the transition will be pretty easy. I feel like the hardest transition was last year, going to the bullpen, because that’s something I’d never done before. I’ve been a starter, I am a starter. I just pitched out of the bullpen last year. I don’t think the transition will be hard at all.”"

I think Smyly will be a very good starter, but he’s leaving behind a significant void in the bullpen in the late innings. That’s not his fault, though, and his future was always back in the rotation.

Tigers to hire Lance Parrish as minor-league manager – Detroit News

"The former All-Star catcher is expected to soon be named manager of team’s Double-A affiliate, the Erie SeaWolves, according to a source. He will replace Chris Cron, who left earlier this month to become minor league hitting coordinator for the Arizona Diamondbacks."

With Larry Parrish already set to manage the AAA Mud Hens, I can only imagine that the West Michigan and Lakeland managers are going to tell their players: “you think it’s tough in A-ball? When you hit the upper minors, you’re certainly going to Parrish.”

Doug Fister: Washington Nationals may have better rotation than Detroit Tigers – Free Press

"“I’ve certainly been blessed to be a part of some teams and rotations I’ve been with,” Fister said Saturday at NatsFest, according to CSNWashington.com. “I think here we are just as good, if not better.”"

Easily the top two rotations that come to mind, anyway. I would still give the Tigers the edge, but Fister isn’t wrong here.