Detroit Tigers: 3 players who could represent team at the All-Star game

DENVER, COLORADO - JULY 13: American League All-Star Gregory Soto #65 of the Detroit Tigers delivers a pitch against the National League team during the 91st MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Coors Field on July 13, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Colorado Rockies/Getty Images) /

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DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JUNE 02: Alex Lange #55 of the Detroit Tigers throws a pitch against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park on June 02, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Of the many weapons in the Detroit Tigers’ surprising bullpen, Lange just may be the best of the bunch. He’s got a 1.54 ERA and 2.37 FIP. He still struggles with walks on occasion, but he’s been dynamite for the most part.

Alex Lange, Ridiculous 98mph Front Door Two Seamer. 😲

22 inches of run. pic.twitter.com/q5cmVwaiMe
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 6, 2022

Acquired back in 2019 as part of the Nick Castellanos trade, Lange was a starter in the Chicago Cubs organization before the Tigers decided to make him a reliever. That could end up being a fantastic decision.

Lange has lowered his hard hit rate by almost 20% from a year ago. He’s also yet to allow a home run in 2022.

The biggest change for Lange this season has been the addition of a slider to his pitch arsenal. Last year he was heavily reliant on his fastball, throwing it about 45% of the time. This year, his fastball usage has plummeted, and he has been throwing his secondary pitches almost exclusively, mainly his curveball.

He’s upped his changeup usage as well, but adding that slider has been huge for him. It gives him an extra weapon to go to. If the Detroit Tigers do indeed end up having another reliever as their All-Star, Lange should be the guy.

RHP Alex Lange