Detroit Tigers: Daniel Stumpf and Chad Bell Provide Left-Handed Relief Options

Daniel Stumpf
Age: 26
Major League Experience: Seven Appearances, Five Innings Pitched

A former ninth-round pick of the Kansas City Royals in 2012, Stumpf has five minor league seasons under his belt.

Since becoming a professional, the left-hander has pitched to a 3.22 ERA in the minors while striking out 8.9 batters per nine frames.

Over the same span, Stumpf has allowed just three walks and 0.5 home runs per nine innings.

In 29.2 frames last season with four different minor league affiliates, the 26-year-old turned in a 3.34 ERA while punching out 31 batters in 29.2 innings.

What is perhaps more encouraging is that Stump didn’t allow a home run, and was only tagged for five free passes.

Of course, the reliever didn’t pitch much in the minors due to the fact that he was also a Rule 5 pick last season.

The Philadelphia Phillies picked up the southpaw in last season’s Rule 5 draft. They didn’t end up keeping him all season, as the pitcher returned to Kansas City.

However, Stumpf did appear in seven games for the National League East ball club.

He finished three of the seven games he appeared in, totaling five innings.

In those five innings, the reliever allowed nine hits, six earned runs, two walks and a home run. He did strike out a pair of batters.

Despite the small sample size, Stumpf did post a solid 10.9 swinging strike percentage.

If he can miss bats like that on a regular basis, the Detroit Tigers should benefit greatly.