Detroit Tigers: Three Reasons Why Tigers Will Make Playoffs in 2017

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Sep 4, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Daniel Norris (44) greets teammates walking out from the bull pen against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

Continued Development of Young Starters

Michael Fulmer, Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd were undoubtedly the most significant bright spots of the 2016 campaign for the Detroit Tigers.

Fulmer

Fulmer launched himself into the driver’s seat for American League Rookie of the Year with an excellent freshman campaign. Over 159 innings pitched, the young starter posted a 3.0 WAR and a 3.06 ERA that nearly won him an ERA title.

What’s more, the future ace posted some excellent run-prevention numbers, including a 3.76 FIP and a 3.95 xFIP. Fulmer was third among Detroit starting pitchers with a 20.4 strike percentage, and only allowed 2.38 walks per nine innings.

Norris

Norris, another pitcher with ace-like potential, never really struggled in 2016. Over the course of 69.1 innings, he never allowed more than three earned runs in a start. That led to a 3.38 ERA, a 3.93 FIP and a 3.94 SIERA.

The former Blue Jay continued to thrive down the stretch when he started to strike more batters out. In five September starts, Norris fanned 38 batters in just 29.2 innings pitched. He only walked eight over the same span while reaching double digits in swinging strikes in each of his starts.

Given his upside, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him carry that over into next season as he continues to develop as a pitcher.

Boyd

Matt Boyd’s 4.53 ERA was somewhat inflated due to a handful of bad outings. Over a two-start span in mid-June, the former Toronto farmhand was hit around. Against the White Sox and Royals, Boyd allowed 15 hits, 13 runs, two home runs and a pair of walks in just eight innings.

Those two starts, and his final start of the season when he allowed five hits and four runs without recording an out, are likely why his ERA is where it is. However, what was encouraging about Boyd’s season was what he did between the poor outings.

From early July to late September, the Washington native pitched to a 3.18 ERA in 68 innings. Over that span, the Tigers went 9-4 when he pitched. Boyd also walked just 18 batters during the stretch while improving his strikeout numbers.

The right-hander struck out 61 while routinely reaching double digits in swinging strikes per start.

If Fulmer, Norris and Boyd can continue to develop, the Tigers’ rotation will be hard to stop next season.

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