The Detroit Tigers hire a new assistant pitching coach

The Detroit Tigers have reportedly hired Robin Lund as assistant pitching coach

D1 Baseball’s Kendall Rogers has reported the Detroit Tigers have hired Iowa pitching coach Robin Lund to be their assistant pitching coach.

Lund, of course, was pitching coach for the Hawkeyes during part of Chris Fetter’s tenure with the University of Michigan. Lund’s coaching resume spans over 20 years with his last five serving the University of Iowa; four of which have been with pitchers with only his most recent season as their primary pitching coach.

Lund is well-regarded as a forward thinker in pitching with a focus on analytics, data, and performance. He has a master’s degree in exercise science and has served as a strength and conditioning coach at several college stops.

The results for Iowa have been impressive in recent years. In 2022, Iowa posted a 17-7 record and their pitching staff ranked second nationally in hits per nine innings allowed and third in strikeouts, according to the Hawkeyes’ website.

Lund is credited for the improvement of Adam Mazur, a South Dakota State transfer arm who would go on to win Big Ten pitcher of the year honors and get selected by the San Diego Padres in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft.

Reading the tea leaves on Lund’s hiring is fairly straightforward. It’s no question the Detroit Tigers have had an issue with injuries on their staff, and while Lund and Fetter share many of the same ideas about their performance approach with movement profiles and data telling the story regarding pitchers, Lund’s expertise in science will be leaned on to keep their pitchers healthy through a full season.

In a quote posted by Hawkeyes central, Lund self-evaluated, “I’m a scientist that coaches pitchers.” That type of approach will be welcomed as the club attempts to modernize and revamp its performance, strength, and conditioning programs as an organization.

It is believed that Juan Nieves will be retained, according to MLive’s Evan Woodbery. Nieves, who has served as assistant pitching coach in 2021 and 2022, could be in line for a change in role for the Detroit Tigers.