Detroit Tigers: Predicting the 2018 Starting Rotation

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DENVER, CO – AUGUST 28: Starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann #27 of the Detroit Tigers delivers to home plate during the first inning of an interleague game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 28, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

JORDAN ZIMMERMANN

Next in the rotation is the oft-injured Jordan Zimmermann. Zimmermann signed a huge five year deal with the Tigers to be the co-ace alongside former Tiger Justin Verlander. This proved to be a mistake.

Zimmermann is almost assuredly not going to be traded, so he needs to stay healthy and pitch like he did in Washington D.C. In 2016 he managed an ERA+ of 88 and 75 in 2017, while averaging less than 6 .0 K/9 after managing around 7.0 K/9 with the Nationals.

With the Nationals he never had an FIP above 3.75 in a full season and he never had an ERA+ of under 100 in a full season. While he gave up some home runs in a Nationals uniform, he gave up his career high in 2017 at 29. 29! If he can get it down to even his 2016 number of 14, his numbers will improve significantly. Zimmermann also gave up the most earned runs in the American League at 108.

One thing he has done well is limiting his walks. With 2.2 BB/9 in 2016 and 2.5 BB/9 in 2017, they are the highest numbers in his career; but they are still fairly low.

He did have a positive WAR in both seasons with the Tiger’s, but they were just barely over 0.0 with 0.2 in 2016 and 0.3 in 2017.

If he can stay healthy and pitch around 180 innings while being a veteran prescence for the younger players he might just earn his value back.

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