It’s early, but after the first two games of spring training, a couple of veteran pitchers appear to have an advantage in the tight fight for the remaining two slots in the Detroit Tigers’ starting rotation.
A.J. Hinch, manager of the Detroit Tigers, started the opening spring training game with veteran Kenta Maeda. The name alone will make Tigers fans cringe, following his disastrous first year with the team last season. Maeda, 36, had a 6.09 ERA and a 1.380 WHIP in 112.1 innings pitched, finishing 3-7. The veteran, who signed a two-year, $24 million contract last winter, was demoted to the bullpen and assigned to mop-up duty as a long-man. Last season was by far Maeda’s poorest season in the MLB, but the Tigers and general manager Scott Harris believe he can right the ship in 2025 and serve a purpose for Detroit in the last year of of his contract.
Last season, Maeda, who does not throw exceptionally hard, dropped four or five mph on his fastball, raising concerns. When Maeda is on his game, he consistently throws about 92 mph, which benefits the hitter because of his deadly splitter, which is his main weapon. Throughout his career, as hitters focus on that splitter that disappears at the bottom of the zone, Maeda has been able to rely on his low-90s fastball more frequently than you might expect. Still, last season, he barely reached 87-88 mph, and batters weren’t missing it, which caused problems for the Tigers.
Kenta Maeda sharp in his spring training debut for the Detroit Tigers
Maeda pitched incredibly well in his spring start, reaching just shy of 94 mph on his fastball and averaging just over 92 mph across two scoreless innings. This winter, the Japanese right-hander made a number of modifications, including improving his mechanics. He also threw more bullpen sessions this winter in an attempt to increase his arm strength so that his velocity was where it needed to be come spring.
“This one definitely felt different,” Maeda stated in Japanese, as translated by Daichi Sekizaki. “I normally enjoy going out there and seeing how I feel during the first game of spring training, but this time was different. I was definitely nervous. I hadn’t felt like that in a long time, so it was quite thrilling.”
“I’ll treat these spring training games a little differently,” said Maeda, who threw only three fastballs over 91 mph last spring. “I need to earn a spot. I got to put the results on the table in order to be deserving of a starter and to demonstrate how I differ from 2024.”
Casey Mize looking to solidify his spot in the Tigers’ rotation
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The Detroit Tigers have a few starting pitchers vying for the last two spots in the starting rotation (barring injury). Casey Mize, a former first-round draft pick, is one. Mize, 27, has suffered numerous injuries throughout his young career, including Tommy John surgery. After a disappointing season in 2024, the right-hander hopes to rebound in 2025. Mize went 2-6 for the Tigers last season, with a 4.49 ERA and 1.466 WHIP in 102.1 innings of work. He had 78 strikeouts and 29 walks. He also had a career-best 3.95 FIP, but his 6.9 strikeouts per nine innings is alarming for a starter of his level.
Mize started Detroit’s second spring training game on Sunday afternoon against the New York Yankees. He allowed two hits and struck out three in his two scoreless innings. The rookie right-hander appeared sharp and took the first step toward securing a spot in the Tigers’ bottom two rotation on Opening Day.
Jackson Jobe’s hope of landing a role with the Detroit Tigers on Opening Day is in jeopardy
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If Detroit Tigers top prospect Jackson Jobe does not make the Opening Day roster, it will be disappointing for many fans. You understand how it is. As supporters, we always want the newest shiny object to join the big club as quickly as possible, regardless of whether it is the right choice or not. In this case, it is Jackson Jobe.
Jobe impressed during his first live batting practice session after a rocky start. Jobe began by throwing four consecutive balls to get a feel for things. He may have felt the strain of team owner Chris Ilitch and general manager Scott Harris, who were in the audience watching the session. Following those four straight pitches out of the zone, Jobe regained his stride, and 17 of his next 21 deliveries were strikes. Jobe also introduced a new weapon: the curveball. That breaking ball should complement his fastball, which averages 98 mph or faster. Last season, Jobe didn’t get enough swing-and-miss with his changeup and sweeper, and the extra curve is expected to help, especially at the MLB level.
“It was a good pitch to get me over, but no one was really swinging or missing,” Jobe explained, referring to his high-spin sweeper. “I believe the curveball plays much better off my fastball. I believe that is the primary reason why it is playing better.”
Jobe is one of only a few starting pitchers battling for a final roster place this spring. Mize, Maeda, Jobe, Matt Manning, and Keider Montero appear to be competing for the final two rotation places, with freshly acquired Alex Cobb out due to a hip injury.
If the battle continues tight throughout spring training, don’t be surprised if the Tigers start Jobe in Toledo and add a couple of more seasoned arms, such as Mize, Maeda, or Montero, to the rotation. The latter two have bullpen experience and could start the season as openers, lengthy relievers, or mop-ups for manager A.J. Hinch.
Also, as much as it pains me to say it, Jobe might benefit greatly from a brief stay in Toledo, preparing him to be a long-term top-of-the-rotation starting for the Tigers in the not-too-distant future. Jobe participated in just two Triple-A games, allowing 12 hits in nine innings of work. He had a 6.00 ERA, five walks, seven strikeouts, and allowed two home runs.
