Detroit Tigers: Spring position battles to watch for

Starting Rotation

So far, only three starting jobs are set in stone. Michael Fulmer, Mike Fiers, and Jordan Zimmerman are certainly locks for the rotation. That leaves two positions open.  Matt Boyd and Daniel Norris will compete with Travis Wood, Ryan Carpenter, and Alex Wilson for the two remaining spots.

At least Boyd or Norris will probably take one rotation spot. They’ve held a spot since coming over to Detroit from Toronto, in a deal liquidating David Price. At times, they’ve been good. Boyd had an ERA under three in a couple months in 2016 and September/October 2017. Norris ended 2017 with a 3.03 ERA over 56.1 innings the last two months.

They’re the favorites. The Tigers signed minor-league journeyman Ryan Carpenter over the off-season. Carpenter’s had limited success, and had improved his AAA ERA by 3.32. He also pitched close to a hundred more innings his second year in Albuquerque.

Carpenter will need to impress pitching coach Chris Bosio to make the rotation.

Wood is another pitcher hoping to make the rotation. He will probably end up in the bullpen, if he makes the team. Wood started 11 games for San Diego last season, and went 3-4 with a 6.71 ERA in 52.1 innings. His FIP, which can indicate whether a pitcher can improve, was much higher than his ERA. Wood is a long-shot to make the rotation.

Finally, we have Alex Wilson. The long-time setup man wants to start, and the Tigers are going to let him prepare as one during spring training. Wilson’s another player that’s improbable to make the rotation. Starting pitchers train differently. They prepare for only one game every five days, for seven or eight innings, whereas relievers prepare as if they’ll come into every game, for one inning.

Here’s a full-look at the rotation competition.