5 Detroit Tigers That Could Surprise in 2015

Jul 29, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Ian Krol (46) pitches in the eighth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

#4 Ian Krol

The only remaining piece of the infamous Doug Fister trade, Ian Krol was a disappointment in 2014.  But the good thing about Krol being a disappointment last year is that he KNOWS he was a disappointment and is taking steps to correct it.

Krol told the Free Press:

"What I need to do differently than last year, most importantly, is probably getting in the workout room more often,” Krol said this morning, before the Tigers took to the practice fields for their first full-squad workout of spring training. Krol, 23, said he needs to be better with his workout regimen, “whether it’s little things, whether it’s big things. “Just getting in there every day, keeping yourself healthy. Last year, I shied away from lifting and keeping my body in shape and got a little sloppy with it.”"

Krol made the Opening Day roster for the first time in his young career last year and was actually one of the better and more reliable options in the Detroit Tigers’ bullpen early on. Phil Coke was an utter train wreck at the start of the season while Krol filled the lefty hole by posting an ERA sub 2.00 through much of April and May, but then as Coke got on track, Krol became the train wreck.

He was injured in June, came back and couldn’t get outs and was sent to Toledo near the end of July, and one final time near the end of August. Krol was not among the September call-ups.

With his renewed attitude, and the fact that we know he can be effective, Krol should be a reliable option out of the bullpen.