Tigers’ most random acquisition of the year is a rare Scott Harris gamble that’s paying off

Scott Harris has been a mixed bag in his time as the Detroit Tigers' president of baseball operations. Yet, as much flack as Harris takes for some of his failed trade deadline deals and some unfortunate injury and development flaws in Detroit's farm system, Tigers fans must also give him credit when a shot in the dark pays off. That's exactly what occurred with right-handed relief pitcher Jacob Waguespack.

Detroit's bullpen has, by most accounts, failed to live up to the hype so far this season. Through their brutal month of May, the Tigers had the most blown leads in all of baseball, which is why despite a red-hot June and start to July they remains five games out of an AL Playoff spot. The trio of Will Vest, Kenley Jansen and Kyle Finnegan did not pay dividends until Detroit was well out of contention. Vest in particular struggled outside of his ninth-inning role.

Waguespack, while not asked to pitch in any of those high-leverage situations, could signify a light at the end of the tunnel.

Give Scott Harris credit for his latest Tigers gamble

Waguespack, who was a castoff reliever claimed earlier this season by Harris despite not seeing any MLB action since 2024, hasn't allowed an earned run since June 15. He, like many of the Tigers relief pitchers, seems to have found his groove at the right time. Waguespack was drafted in the 37th round back in 2012. He finally received an MLB promotion in 2019 with the Toronto Blue Jays, but was languishing away in Triple-A for the Milwaukee Brewers when the Tigers snatched him up.

“It’s all learning experiences, man,” Waguespack told The Detroit News. “Every day you put in the work and see what happens. It’s nice to get this chance, this opportunity. That is what I’m most grateful for—the opportunity.”

While the vast majority of Waguespack's outings have come in low-leverage situations, he's comfortable closing out games as well. He notched the final six outs in the Tigers win over the Athletics on Tuesday night. Waguespack has experience doing just that all over the world, including in Japan, where he pitched for the Orix Buffaloes of the NPB.

“Pitching in big moments in front of a lot of people, those moments hardened me for the future,” Waguespack said. “I got some valuable experience there pitching in those moments, and winning and losing was all part of it.”

AJ Hinch impressed with what's he seen from new Tigers reliever

For his part, Tigers manager AJ Hinch has been open to utilizing Waguespack in just about any situation. Detroit's veteran manager understands that over the course of a 162-game season, the Tigers will need important contributions from unexpected sources, especially if they're to overcome a disastrous start and make a run at an AL Wild Card berth.

“He’s been good," Hinch said. "He's getting some funny swings out of guys. He hides the ball a little bit. He's got some extension. He gets them to swing under the ball quite a bit and he's got the equalizer changeup. I've been impressed by his demeanor and his ability to create some good leverage for himself."

Waguespack alone did not solve Detroit's bullpen woes. Since June, they've been markedly better, and rank 12th in baseball in bullpen ERA on the season. However, he does serve as a reminder that, at times, Harris can turn trash into treasure.

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