3 surprise players who’ve dominated at Tigers spring training

2) Tigers pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez is dominating this spring

Through four spring starts, Eduardo Rodriguez has given the Tigers 13 shutout frames. He has allowed 11 hits but not a single run. Two batters have walked and another 15 have seen strike three called against them.

Rodriguez owns a 1.00 WHIP and a .229 batting average against him. Although outshined in some of those numbers by teammate Matthew Boyd and others, the important thing for Rodriguez is how effective he has been at recording three outs without allowing anyone to cross the plate.

A much better season from Rodriguez is a necessity for the Tigers. He made just 17 starts last year while going 5-5 with a 4.05 ERA. Rodriguez could benefit from a big year, too. His contract has an opt out after the 2023 season. A big year and he could be looking at a fatter paycheck over the next few seasons.

Much of Rodriguez’s 2022 season was spent on the injured or restricted list. By the time he was available, the Tigers were well out of the postseason race and any starts he did make were far less competitive.

Tigers fans will have their fingers crossed that this early dominance in spring is something close to the version of Rodriguez they’ll receive in 2023 and maybe even beyond. After a lost year in season one with the team, it’s a big surprise to see him pitch this well.