How the Detroit Tigers Discovered Hidden Gem Tarik Skubal After College

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How the Detroit Tigers Discovered Hidden Gem Tarik Skubal After College

Detroit Tigers Announce Seven Prospects for Arizona Fall League, Highlighting Kevin McGonigle

As the Detroit Tigers make their playoff push, they are also setting their sights on the future by sending a strong group of seven key prospects to the prestigious Arizona Fall League. This initiative underscores the Tigers’ commitment to player development as they aim to elevate their roster for the upcoming seasons. Among these promising talents is Kevin McGonigle, a player to watch closely.

Tarik Skubal: The Left-Handed Ace Leading the Tigers

One name that stands out in the Tigers’ pitching lineup is Tarik Skubal, the team’s ace left-handed starter. Since his MLB debut in 2020, Skubal has emerged as one of the most dominant pitchers in the league. His exemplary performance has been instrumental in the Tigers’ recent playoff success, making him a central figure in discussions surrounding the team’s future.

Impressive Performance Metrics of Tarik Skubal

Skubal’s statistics over the past two seasons have been nothing short of remarkable. He leads all qualified MLB starters in key metrics:

FanGraphs WAR: 12.6
Strikeouts: 469
Earned Run Average (ERA): 2.30
Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP): 2.48

For these achievements, Skubal was recognized as the unanimous 2024 American League Cy Young Award winner and is a leading contender for the 2025 award.

Three Facts About Tarik Skubal’s Journey

College Origins: Skubal did not start as a top prospect; he received only one college offer from Seattle University after high school.
Overcoming Injury: An elbow injury requiring Tommy John surgery in 2017 hindered his draft prospects, but the Tigers selected him in the ninth round of the 2018 MLB Draft.
Triple Crown Achievement: In 2024, Skubal not only won the Cy Young Award but also secured the AL pitching Triple Crown, finishing first in ERA, strikeouts, and wins.

2025 Cy Young Award: Tarik Skubal’s Competitive Edge

In 2025, Tarik Skubal is proving to be an even more formidable pitcher than in the previous season. His performance metrics showcase that:

ERA: Reduced from 2.39 in 2024 to 2.21 in 2025.
Strikeouts: Jumped from 228 to 241.
WHIP: Improved from 0.922 to 0.891.

Despite having fewer wins compared to last year, Skubal’s overall effectiveness makes him the leading favorite to win the 2025 Cy Young Award, with odds of -10,000 from BetMGM, significantly ahead of his competitors. Should he clinch this title, he would join Denny McLain as one of the rare Tigers pitchers to win the award twice.

This season, with the Detroit Tigers back in contention, the spotlight is shining brightly on both their current ace and the talented prospects in the Arizona Fall League as they aim to shape a successful future for the franchise.