Detroit Tigers: Jordan Zimmermann bounce-back is vital for franchise’s long-term outlook

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann once again enters the coming season as a bounce-back candidate. A turnaround year from the veteran would be significant.

Detroit Tigers fans haven’t seen the best out of Jordan Zimmermann in his time in the Motor City.

Save for a 10-start stretch to begin his Tigers career that saw the veteran turn in a 2.58 ERA in 66.1 innings (which included a 19.1-frame scoreless streak), Zimmermann has struggled mightily.

In two seasons in a Detroit uniform, the right-hander has thrown 105.1 and 160 innings respectively in each of the last two years.

His overall numbers haven’t exactly been easy on the eyes.

Jordan Zimmermann 2016: 105.1 innings, 1.3 fWAR, 5.64 strikeouts per nine innings, a 7.7 swinging strike percentage, a 1.37 WHIP, 2.22 walks per nine innings, 1.20 home runs allowed per nine innings, a 4.87 ERA, a 4.42 FIP, a 4.84 xFIP and a 4.81 SIERA.

Jordan Zimmermann 2017: 160 innings, 1.1 fWAR, 5.79 strikeouts per nine innings, a 8.1 swinging strike percentage, a 1.55 WHIP, 2.48 walks per nine innings, 1.63 home runs allowed per nine innings, a  6.08 ERA, a 5.18 FIP, a 5.41 xFIP and a 5.22 SIERA.

For reference, Zimmermann’s 2016 BABIP checked in at only .304. His 2017 number in the category finished at .330.

For his career, the veteran has a .299 BABIP, including a .302 number in each of his last two seasons with the Nationals.