Keider Montero DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

According to Jason Beck of MLB.com, Detroit Tigers right-handed pitcher Keider Montero could be deployed out of the rotation and the bullpen during the 2025 season. Beck noted that while Montero will report to camp as a starter, but he may find a role in the bullpen, given the recent signing of Jack Flaherty. With Flaherty, Tarik Skubal, Reese Olson, and Alex Cobb penciled into the rotation, that leaves just one spot for Montero and several other arms, such as top prospect Jackson Jobe, Matt Manning, Casey Mize, and Kenta Maeda. Last season, Montero posted a 4.76 ERA with a 1.33 WHIP across 98 1/3 innings. He struck out 77 batters and held a modest 7.7 percent walk rate. Under the hood, he generated a poor 5.24 xERA, which suggests he may face some regression this season. Montero should only be targeted in deeper AL-only formats if given a spot start during the season.

Detroit Tigers rookie right-hander Keider Montero will take the ball for Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday at Comerica Park against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians with the series tied one game apiece. In his first MLB season in 2024, Montero went 6-6 with a 4.76 ERA (5.15 FIP) and 1.33 WHIP with 77 strikeouts and 31 walks in 98 1/3 innings pitched over 19 appearances (16 starts). His playoff debut came in Game 1 of the ALDS on Saturday out of the bullpen, when he tossed two scoreless innings while walking none and striking out three. Montero started against Cleveland back on July 8 in Detroit and tossed 6 1/3 shutout innings on three hits while walking one and striking out four. However, Montero hasn't started since Sept. 25 and is likely to have a very short leash in this pivotal game against the Guardians.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Keider Montero was on his game in Tuesday's 11-0 win over the Rockies. Montero took advantage of a favorable matchup inside his home park, tossing a complete-game shutout with three hits, no walks, and five strikeouts. The 24-year-old's season numbers leave something to be desired but he has pitched better in the second half. Specifically, he has gone 4-2 with a 3.69 ERA in eight starts from August onward. He will face a much tougher matchup in his next start against the Orioles. While he has pitched better, fantasy managers may not want to risk starting him in such a tough matchup so deep into the season.

Detroit Tigers rookie starting pitcher Keider Montero put together his best start of his big-league career on Tuesday versus the Seattle Mariners. Making his eighth start of his big-league career, the 24-year-old tossed six scoreless innings and allowed four hits, one hit, one run and eight strikeouts. The eight strikeouts would be a career-high for Montero. Although it was an encouraging outing for Montero, managers should temper their expectation moving forward as he still has a 5.62 ERA over nine outings (eight starts). Montero will look to keep the positive trend going when in his next matchup on the road against the San Francisco Giants. For now, he can be left on the waiver wire.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Keider Montero threw 6 1/3 innings versus the Twins and allowed six hits, two runs, one walk and struck out four to earn his first big-league victory on Wednesday. It was his best performance as a big leaguer by a landslide, in his third appearance as he replaced starting pitcher Casey Mize (hamstring) in the rotation. Montero is the Tigers seventh ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline and is expected to remain in the rotation with Mize on the shelf. Despite his strong performance on Wednesday, Montero figures to be more of a streamer in favorable matchups. Montero is projected to face the Cleveland Guardians his next time out and can be avoided in that contest.