Detroit Tigers: Starting in 2018, perhaps a bit sooner, bullpen will get younger

Jairo Labourt
Age: 23

The closest of the bunch to the Majors is likely Jairo Labourt.

A left-hander with power stuff, Labourt is thriving in his first full season in the bullpen.

Labourt began the year with Advanced-A Lakeland and dominated there. He punched out 22 of the 51 batters he faced en route to posting a 0.66 ERA in 13.2 innings.

The southpaw continued his success in 30.2 innings at Double-A Erie, striking out 36 batters while allowing just seven walks. He turned in a 0.978 WHIP and a 2.64 ERA.

A promotion to Triple-A Toledo has seen Labourt continue to limit runs scored, with a 1.88 ERA in 14.1 innings.

Labourt has had some issues with walks as a member of Toledo’s bullpen, with 13 free passes allowed.

He’s offset these with 15 strike outs and a minuscule .109 batting average against, keeping his WHIP at the level at 1.26.

If Labourt reigns in the walks, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him in the Majors in September.

Zac Reininger
Age: 24

An eight-round pick in 2013, Reininger has posted some strong numbers in 2017 en route to earning promotions from Advanced-A to Double-A and then again to Triple-A.

In 58 frames (36 appearances), Reininger has pitched to a 2.64 ERA and a 0.966 WHIP. He’s also struck out 8.8 patters per nine innings, while surrendering just 0.3 home runs per nine frames.