Detroit Tigers: 3 pitchers who have stepped up the most in 2022

Detroit Tigers RHP Drew Hutchison

One of the most versatile arms the Detroit Tigers have trotted out there this season is Drew Hutchison. He has made 13 starts (third most on the team) and also thrown in 10 games out of the bullpen as well.

The Tigers saw Hutchison break out in his limited big league chances in 2021. He posted a 2.11 ERA over 21.1 innings pitched. Then, in 2022, the Tigers were able to keep Hutchison around, though I’d venture to say no one expected him to perform as well as he has to this point.

Hutchison has accumulated 82 innings pitched, pitching to a 4.06 ERA, a 1.42 WHIP, and 53 punchouts to his credit. He’s cut down on the hard contact and kept rolling up groundballs to be efficient.

The right-handed pitcher is just another one of the Tigers pitchers who goes out there and does his job. He finds ways to piece together quality outings and keep the team in ballgames. He has a three-pitch mix, throwing strikes and being efficient.

The fastball plays up, and he’s able to front door his slider often, landing it for strikes or swings and misses. He’s got a 28.8% whiff rate on the slider, being the primary offspeed pitch he throws, according to Baseball Savant.

The Tigers’ rotation has been built on unlikely arms being efficient. Hutchison lives on soft contact and efficient outs. His performance in 2022 may not be award-winning, but given the situation, the Tigers will undoubtedly take it and be happy with it.