3 Detroit Tigers pitching prospects to keep eyes on to end 2022

Brant Hurter, LHP, Double-A Erie SeaWolves

Brant Hurter, a former collegiate pitcher, selected in last summer’s draft, is one of the Detroit Tigers’ prospects that has pieced together an exciting summer. After an impressive performance for three seasons with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, he was drafted by the Tigers in the seventh round last year.

Since then, he has joined the team’s farm system, looking to start his ascent towards the big leagues. Hurter’s 2022 season started strong after intriguing performances with Single-A and High-A.

Hurter made ten appearances and six starts with the Single-A Lakeland Flying Tigers, producing a 2.98 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP, and 57 punchouts over 42.1 innings pitched. He was then promoted to High-A, joining the West Michigan Whitecaps, where he made ten starts and one relief appearance.

Hurter produced a 3.20 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP while picking up 62 punchouts over 50.2 innings pitched. Then things took a turn. He earned another promotion, moving to Double-A to join the Erie SeaWolves.

He has made just two starts, leaving much room to improve his performance. He’s pitched just five innings, allowing 13 hits and 12 earned runs. As the 2022 season ends, Hurter will be looking to bounce back.

The Tigers know what they can get from him. He’s a left-handed pitcher who throws from a three-quarters arm slot. His front side carries him down the mound with some rotation in the hips, landing on line.

He’s found success with the wipeout slider he uses for swings and misses. It’s the primary pitch in his pitch mix, or at least it is his best offering. Need more proof?

It’s got horizontal movement coming from a slot that can be deceptive, especially to left-handed hitters, seeing the pitch disappear as it moves away from them. However, righties can struggle with the pitch as well.

His fastball needs work— he’s got excellent command of the pitch, but it will not overpower hitters. So he’s someone with pitchability and plus-breaking stuff. It will be interesting to see if he can hone in his control and get things back on track.