DETROIT – Detroit Tigers left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal has had a dominant season so far.
During Sunday’s 10-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, Skubal had 10 strikeouts across 6.2 one-run innings.
Notably, Skubal threw a 101.7 mph fastball -- the fastest pitch of his career. It is the second-fastest pitch thrown by a starter in MLB this season, behind Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who threw a 101.9 mph pitch on May 11, 2024, his MLB debut.
Skubal tied the fastest pitch thrown by a Tiger since the Statcast tracking system began in 2015. Bruce Rondon threw a 101.7 mph fastball on July 28, 2015.
Skubal’s second-fastest pitch of the outing clocked in at 99.4 mph, according to the Tigers. He is a pitcher who can impressively manipulate the velocity of his pitches. In this start, his fastball ranged from 92.2 mph to that top speed of 101.7.
On Sunday, Skubal lowered his ERA from 1.97 to 1.92. This is the lowest ERA for a Tiger through the first 13 starts since Al Benton (0.99), and hall of famer Hal Newhouser (1.83), both in 1945.
The Tigers win more when Skubal is on the mound. They’re 10-3 in his starts and just 22-30 without him.
In 2018, Skubal was drafted in the ninth round. He began his career as an underdog and has worked his way up to have a major impact on the Tigers’ organization.
Skubal brings an energy to the game that Tigers fans have long been looking for, an energy that we haven’t seen since Justin Verlander was traded to the Houston Astros in 2017.
There have been a handful of strong pitchers since Verlander left, like Matthew Boyd and Michael Fulmer. But we haven’t seen a Tigers ace as powerful as Verlander until now.
Flashback to 2011. Verlander won his first Cy Young award, and he won the American League MVP award. The Tigers won the AL Central division and made it to the ALCS.
The 2024 Tigers, as a team, do not compare to that 2011 Tigers team. But Skubal’s numbers hold up well compared to Verlander’s.
Through 13 starts, Skubal has:
- 1.92 ERA
- 15 walks
- 96 strikeouts
- 79.6 innings pitched
- 8-1 record
Through 13 starts in 2011, Verlander had:
- 2.96 ERA
- 24 walks
- 83 strikeouts
- 94.2 innings pitched
- 6-3 record
Overall, Skubal has better statistics than Verlander did at this point in the season. Based on this data, he could be on track to win an MVP or Cy Young award if he continues to pitch well.
Career-wise, it is too soon to compare the two.
Manager AJ Hinch, who has coached both starters, emphasized this in a May 12 press conference.
“I hesitate to bring Tarik up when you talk about a future Hall of Famer,” Hinch said. “I just hate the comparison part, because Justin is a few thousand innings ahead of him.”
When Skubal takes the mound, a win feels probable. It’s an optimistic feeling that I haven’t felt since Verlander wore a Tigers jersey.
Verlander will likely be my favorite Tigers player for the rest of my life. I believe his leadership helped the Tigers dominate the early 2010s.
This leadership is recognizable in Skubal. His competitive spirit and energy may be the key the Tigers have needed for a return to postseason baseball.
Justin Verlander is an ace of the past, but Tarik Skubal appears to be the ace of the future.