Detroit Tigers: Al Avila’s under-the-radar additions are paying off

Daniel Stumpf

The Tigers were able to pick up a controllable, intriguing power reliever in Daniel Stumpf via the Rule 5 draft.

Initially drafted from Kansas City, Stumpf—who was also a Rule 5 pick in 2016—opted for free agency instead. He returned to Detroit and has now become a key part of the team’s bullpen.

In 15.1 frames of work (22 appearances), the southpaw has struck out 15 while pitching to a 2.93 ERA. He’s allowed just four hits, four walks and no runs in his last nine outings.

Per Spotrac, the 26-year-old won’t be arbitration eligible until after 2019, and won’t hit free agency until after the 2022 campaign.

Chad Bell

Stumpf is one of three left-handers currently in Detroit’s bullpen, the other two are Wilson and Chad Bell.

Bell, who Avila picked up for journeyman Bobby Wilson, has provided solid innings as a long reliever.

The 28-year-old’s ERA is largely inflated due to three appearances in the last month in which he’s surrendered 12 hits, 11 runs, five walks and three home runs in 7.1 frames.

Bell pitched in blowout losses in all three instances, but before that, he’d given Brad Ausmus a reliable source of innings in instances when the bullpen needs to be saved.

Prior to the three bad outings, Bell had logged a 2.21 ERA in his first 20.1 professional outings.

Despite the ERA, Bell has turned in an encouraging 7.9 punch outs per nine innings and is versatile with past experience as a starting pitcher.