Detroit Tigers News: Julio Teheran and Tarik Skubal set to start

This morning down in Lakeland was an eventful one for the Detroit Tigers. Manager AJ Hinch announced to the media this morning that right-hander Julio Teheran will make the ballclub and be in the starting rotation.  The corresponding move that followed was Spencer Turnbull will start the season on the non-baseball IL due to COVID.

In other news, this morning per Jason Beck of MLB.com, left-hander Ian Krol and Erasmo Ramirez will not make the team and Tarik Skubal will be in the starting rotation.

How Julio Teheran’s resume adds to the Detroit Tigers Rotation.

His spring numbers have been impressive. Teheran has an ERA of 2.45 and posting a 0.64 WHIP and looking to rebound after a bad 2020 season.  We thought back in December he would be a good bounce-back candidate for the Tigers based on his past resume and looking at his write-up by Joe Heintskill, you can see why. Outside of Derek Holland, who is still fighting to make the roster, he is the only pitcher in camp to have thrown 200 innings.

Chris and I broke down his St. Patrick’s Day start and noticed how all of his pitches have movement and he was able to use the top of the strike zone well. His velocity is up from last season and recently he told Evan Petzold of the Freep ($) that thanks to his agent Geno Mato, he got him to a therapist that was able to correct pain in his right shoulder.

Another good write-up was done by Brandon Day over at Bless You Boys about his Statcast Spin vs Observed Movement and he is right. He isn’t going to be a big strikeout pitcher but one who should be able to provide the Tigers some much-needed innings. The back tightness in his last start makes me leery but regardless, he is a good addition to the rotation.

For Skubal, he is still a rookie and could make his case for Rookie of the Year. This is the most exciting left-handed pitching prospect to make the rotation since Justin Thompson.