Detroit Tigers: Alex Wilson getting chance to earn fifth starter spot
Alex Wilson, who has been working primarily as a reliever with the Detroit Tigers since 2015, will reportedly be in the mix for the fifth spot in the rotation this spring.
Early this offseason, it was known that the Detroit Tigers would need another starter to join Michael Fulmer, Jordan Zimmermann, Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd in the starting rotation. They ultimately signed both minor leaguer Ryan Carpenter and veteran Mike Fiers to major league deals.
Recently, a new name is added to the list of those who will be competing for a spot in the Tigers‘ starting staff. According to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News, Alex Wilson will enter Spring Training with a chance to compete for a rotation spot. Wilson reportedly requested the opportunity, and the team appears to have granted his wish.
Wilson’s success as a reliever
Norris, who was acquired from the Boston Red Sox along with Yoenis Cespedes back in December of 2014, has been an effective reliever for Detroit over the past three seasons. In 2015, he posted a sparkling 2.19 ERA across 70 innings pitched. He had another good season the following year, posting a 2.96 ERA over 73 innings.
Wilson did have a bit of a down year in 2017. He posted a 4.50 ERA through 60 innings before his season ended in late September due to a broken leg. However, he was still a slightly-above-average pitcher with a 102 ERA+.
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As McCosky points out, Wilson was called upon to make one spot start for the Tigers back in 2015 and pitched three hitless innings. He also started 69 games in his minor league career.
Per McCosky, there is still a bit of uncertainty with Norris, which appears to be the reason for the increased competition in the rotation. The soon-to-be 25-year-old Norris is extremely talented and, at times, has shown flashes of great promise. However, he has also battled injuries and is coming off of a season in which he posted a 5.31 ERA through 22 games (18 starts). It was a noticeable step backward from a 2016 campaign in which he posted a 3.38 ERA through 14 games (13 starts). McCosky also lists Chad Bell and Buck Farmer as pitchers thought to be likely to compete with Norris for a rotation spot.
Is Wilson more valuable in the bullpen?
Last season, the Tigers’ bullpen posted a 5.63 ERA, which was the worst mark in all of baseball. The team now has a reliable closer in Shane Greene, but aside from him, there are many question marks in the bullpen going into this coming season.
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Given that Wilson has already flourished in the bullpen in the past, it could very well be in the team’s best interest to keep him in that role in 2018. On the other hand, Wilson and Greene could both turn out to be trade candidates this summer as well. If Wilson proves to be a capable starter for the Detroit Tigers, it could be interesting to see what being a “swingman” might do for his trade value.