For what feels like the first time in years, the Detroit Tigers find themselves with a surplus of players worthy of serious All-Star consideration. And this time, it’s not just the pitchers making waves. The Tigers haven’t seen an offensive player selected to the All-Star game since Justin Upton in 2017 (And no, we won’t count Miggy’s retirement tour selection from 2022.) But now, as the 2024 Midsummer Classic approaches, a new crop of talent has emerged. Let’s dive into the top candidates who could represent the Tigers in Arlington.
No. 5 – Wenceel Perez: A Rookie Sensation
Wenceel Perez, the young infielder for the Detroit Tigers, has been turning heads in the 2024 season. Despite being a rookie, he’s making a significant impact both offensively and defensively. Let’s break down his credentials:
Offensive Prowess
Current Slash Line: .253/.317/.425 (.741 OPS)
Rookie Rankings:
Batting Average (BA): 12th
On-Base Plus Slugging (OPS): 8th
Walks (BB): 9th
Runs Batted In (RBI): 15th
Triples: 1st
Runs: 11th
Perez’s consistent performance at the plate has been crucial for the Tigers.
Advanced Metrics
0.7 WAR (FanGraphs): Despite his rookie status, Perez’s Wins Above Replacement (WAR) reflects his value to the team.
110 wRC+ (FanGraphs): His weighted runs created plus (wRC+) indicates that he’s 10% better than the league average in creating runs.
109 OPS+ (Baseball Reference): His adjusted OPS (OPS+) shows above-average offensive production.
79th Percentile LA-Sweet-Spot% (Baseball Savant): Perez consistently finds the sweet spot on the bat.
85th Percentile Whiff% (Baseball Savant): His ability to make contact is impressive.
80th Percentile Spring Speed (Baseball Savant): His speed on the basepaths adds another dimension to his game.
Clutch Performances
Perez shines in high-leverage situations:
With Runners in Scoring Position (RISP):
.303/.333/.576 (.909 OPS)
Includes 2 home runs, 1 double, 1 triple, and 12 RBI
With 2 Outs and RISP:
.294/.333/.588 (.922 OPS)
Includes 1 home run, 1 triple, and 8 RBI
Overall High-Leverage Situations:
.280/.357/.520 (.877 OPS)
Includes 1 home run, 1 triple, 1 double, and 8 RBI over 25 at-bats
AL Rookie of the Year Contender
Perez’s outstanding performance has caught the attention of fans and analysts alike.
He currently has the 6th best odds for the AL Rookie of the Year award according to FanDuel (+2500).
If he maintains this level of play, he could be a strong contender for the prestigious honor.
Wenceel Perez’s emergence as a key contributor for the Tigers is a testament to their rebuilding efforts. Keep an eye on this talented rookie as he continues to make waves in the league!
No. 4 – Matt Vierling: A Career Year
Matt Vierling, the Tigers’ outfielder, is making waves in the 2024 season. Here’s why he deserves All-Star consideration:
Offensive Production
Current Slash Line: .287/.318/.492 (.809 OPS)
Notable Stats:
1.2 WAR (FanGraphs): Vierling’s Wins Above Replacement reflects his overall impact.
127 wRC+ (FanGraphs): His weighted runs created plus (wRC+) indicates he’s 27% better than the league average in creating runs.
126 OPS+ (Baseball Reference): Adjusted OPS shows above-average offensive prowess.
94th Percentile LA-Sweet-Spot (Baseball Savant): Vierling consistently finds the sweet spot on the bat.
92nd Percentile Chase% (Baseball Savant): His plate discipline is impressive.
71st Percentile Hard-Hit% (Baseball Savant): Vierling generates solid contact.
Team Rankings
Vierling’s contributions have elevated the Tigers:
Home Runs: 3rd in the team
RBIs: 2nd
Hits: 2nd
Triples: 2nd
Batting Average: 1st (among qualified hitters)
OPS: 2nd (among qualified hitters)
Career Highs Within Reach
Vierling is having a breakout year:
He’s currently on pace to set career highs in:
Hits
Home Runs
RBIs
Runs
Keep an eye on Matt Vierling as he continues to shine for the Tigers. His consistent performance and impact on the team make him a strong candidate for the All-Star game!
No. 3 – Reese Olson: Dominating Despite the Record
Reese Olson, despite his 1-6 win-loss record, has been a standout pitcher for the Tigers. Let’s break down why he deserves All-Star consideration:
Stellar Metrics
Earned Run Average (ERA): Olson boasts an impressive 2.48 ERA.
Wins Above Replacement (WAR): His 1.5 WAR (per FanGraphs) reflects his overall value.
ERA+ (Baseball Reference): At 164, his ERA+ indicates he’s performing significantly better than the league average.
Home Runs Allowed: Surrendering only 3 home runs speaks to his effectiveness.
Opponent Batting Average: Holding opponents to a .205 batting average is remarkable.
Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched (WHIP): His WHIP stands at 1.07.
Pitch Arsenal
According to Baseball Savant, Olson’s pitch repertoire is impressive:
Slider: Run value of 2
4 Seam Fastball: Run value of 3
Changeup: Run value of 3
Sinker: Run value of 2
Curveball: Run value of 0
His diverse pitches contribute to his success.
Dominance Over Lineups
Olson gets stronger as he faces opponents multiple times:
1st time through: .233/.293/.356
2nd time through: .205/.274/.229
3rd time through: .157/.241/.275
Reese Olson’s consistency and ability to control games make him a compelling choice for the All-Star game. Keep an eye on this talented pitcher as the season progresses!
No. 2 – Jack Flaherty: A Resurgent Force
Jack Flaherty, once again commanding attention, has been a driving force for the Tigers this season. Let’s break down his impressive stats:
Current Performance
ERA (Earned Run Average): 3.22
FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching): 2.69
ERA+ (Adjusted ERA): 127 (significantly better than league average)
Strikeouts per 9 innings (K/9): 11.6
Walks per 9 innings (BB/9): 1.2
WHIP (Walks + Hits per Inning Pitched): 0.96
WAR (Wins Above Replacement): 1.9 (FanGraphs)
Baseball Savant Excellence
Flaherty’s Baseball Savant page is a canvas of red:
95th Percentile in Whiff%, K%, and BB%: His ability to miss bats and control walks is exceptional.
98th Percentile in Breaking Run Value: His breaking pitches confound hitters.
League Rankings
Flaherty stands tall among MLB and American League pitchers:
WHIP: 10th in MLB, 6th in the American League
Strikeouts: 2nd in MLB, 1st in the American League
Consistency and Stamina
Quality Starts: 8 out of 12 starts meet the quality start criteria.
Innings Pitched: He consistently goes at least 6.0 innings, providing stability for the Tigers.
Keep an eye on Jack Flaherty as he continues to dominate on the mound. His resurgence is a testament to his skill and determination!
Tarik Skubal: A Rising Star on the Mound
Arguably the Best Starting Pitcher in the American League
Tarik Skubal has been turning heads this season with his dominant performances on the mound. As the Detroit Tigers’ left-handed ace, he’s making a strong case for being the best starting pitcher in the American League. Let’s break down why Skubal deserves serious consideration for the All-Star game:
Cy Young Contender
According to FanDuel, Skubal is currently the front runner for the American League Cy Young award, with +180 odds. His consistency and electric stuff have caught the attention of fans and analysts alike.
Baseball Savant Metrics:
Skubal’s Baseball Savant page is a sea of red, indicating elite performance:
98th Percentile in Pitching Run Value: His ability to prevent runs ranks among the league’s best.
99th Percentile in Fastball Run Value: His fastball generates significant value.
94th Percentile in xERA: Expected earned run average shows his true effectiveness.
81st Percentile in Chase%: Batters struggle to lay off his pitches.
88th Percentile in K%: His strikeout rate is impressive.
90th Percentile in BB%: He limits walks effectively.
Post-Injury resurgence
Skubal has picked up right where he left off after returning from injury in 2023. His resilience and determination are evident.
This season, he boasts the following stats:
Record: 7-1
ERA: 1.97
WHIP: 0.87 (Walks + Hits per Inning Pitched)
ERA+: 207 (Adjusted ERA, where 100 is league average)
WAR: 3.0 (Wins Above Replacement)
BB/9: 1.6 walks per 9 innings
K/9: 10.6 strikeouts per 9 inning
Top-10 Rankings
Skubal’s performance places him among the league leaders:
WHIP: 2nd in MLB, 1st in the American League
ERA: 5th in MLB, 3rd in the American League
Strikeouts: 8th in MLB, 4th in the American League
Wins: 5th in MLB, 3rd in the American League
Tarik Skubal’s dominance on the mound makes him a prime candidate for the All-Star game. If he maintains this level of excellence, we’ll likely see him starting for the American League in the midsummer classic. Keep an eye on this rising star as he continues to dazzle fans and confound opposing hitters!
Honorable Mentions: Rising Stars in Motown
Jason Foley
Jason Foley, a hard-throwing right-handed reliever, has been a key asset for the Tigers’ bullpen this season. His fastball consistently touched triple digits to start the season, however, his command has wavered at times. While he might not be a household name yet, his performance warrants consideration.
Riley Greene
Riley Greene, once the Tigers’ highly touted outfield prospect, has made significant strides in 2024. His uppercut swing, plate discipline, and defensive skills have caught the attention of many around baseball. If he continues to develop, an All-Star nod could be in his future.
Kerry Carpenter (IL)
Kerry Carpenter, unfortunately sidelined due to injury, had a strong start to the season. His ability to hit for power makes him an intriguing candidate. If he returns to full health, he could re-enter the All-Star discussion.
Keep an eye on these rising stars—they may not be headliners yet, but their contributions to the Tigers’ success are undeniable.