Sawyer Gipson-Long DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said that right-handed pitching prospect Sawyer Gipson-Long (elbow, hip) will make the start on Wednesday against the division-rival Chicago White Sox. Gipson-Long will be making his first big-league start since undergoing Tommy John surgery last April and a hip surgery in July, so even though the matchup is an excellent one, there will be plenty of risk with using the 27-year-old right away as a streamer. Detroit's No. 29 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, posted a solid 2.20 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with 16 punchouts and only two walks in 16 1/3 innings over five minor-league rehab starts over three levels. In his big-league debut in 2023, Gipson-Long had a nice 2.70 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 26 K's and eight walks in four starts (20 innings). He relies heavily on fastballs that aren't overpowering, limiting his fantasy upside.

Detroit Tigers right-handed pitching prospect Sawyer Gipson-Long (elbow) is nearing the completion of his rehab assignment and could be in the mix to join the major league roster. On Thursday, the No. 29-ranked prospect in the Detroit system tossed five 1/3 innings of one-run ball against Triple-A Louisville. In this outing, Gipson-Long allowed just one hit and struck out five batters. In his previous outing at Triple-A, Gipson-Long allowed two runs across four innings. The right-hander has been sidelined since 2024 due to a hip injury and Tommy John. In 2023, Gipson-Long made his MLB debut and tossed 20 innings to the tune of a 2.70 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP. During this stint, he struck out 26 batters. With Jackson Jobe (elbow) hitting the 15-day IL on Friday, Gipson-Long has a viable path to return to the starting rotation in the coming days.

Detroit Tigers right-handed pitching prospect Sawyer Gipson-Long (elbow) is set to move his rehab assignment to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday. Gipson-Long has been working his way back from Tommy John surgery and hip surgery. Gipson-Long began his rehab assignment with Low-A but needed only one appearance before earning the call to High-A. At High-A, Gipson-Long tossed five 2/3 innings to the tune of a 1.59 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. During this stint, he has struck out five batters and allowed just one walk. If the 27-year-old continues to increase his workload and not face any setbacks, he could be in the mix to return from the IL in early June. Gipson-Long made his MLB debut during the 2023 season and posted a 2.70 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP across 20 innings. He should be in the mix to rejoin the MLB roster later in the season.