Tarik Skubal's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal will start the team's Opening Day game on March 28 against the Chicago White Sox, according to manager A.J. Hinch. Skubal only made 15 starts for the Tigers last year after he got a late start to the season due to flexor-tendon surgery on his arm, but he was strong in those 15 starts, posting a 2.80 ERA and 0.90 WHIP with 102 strikeouts in only 80 1/3 innings. The 27-year-old southpaw will have some workload concerns for fantasy managers, but if he's fully healthy, the upside is obvious. He's been pumping his fastball in the high-90s this spring and has looked good, adding even more intrigue around him in fantasy drafts as a low-end fantasy ace/high-end No. 2 starter to target. The matchup against the White Sox to kick things off in 2024 will be an excellent one, too.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal threw two innings of scoreless ball in Wednesday's 5-3 Grapefruit League win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The southpaw did not allow a hit in the appearance while walking one and striking out a pair of batters. It was an encouraging start for a pitcher with some high expectations coming into 2024. His impressive, albeit somewhat short, 2023 season has pushed his draft stock way up. The former ninth-round MLB draft pick got a late start but finished 7-3 with a 2.80 ERA (2.77 SIERA, 2.28 xERA), 0.90 WHIP, and a 28.4% K-BB% in 15 starts (80 1/3 IP) last season, leading to talk of a possible Cy Young in 2024. His repertoire includes a fastball that can hit 99 mph to go along with a nasty changeup or slider. His NFBC ADP stands at 54th overall, but RotoBaller is higher on the lefty, ranking him at 44th overall. With the upside of an ace, Skubal will make a fine second pitcher on fantasy pitching staffs.

Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal hit 100 mph on his fastball on his last pitch during his live batting practice session in spring training on Tuesday. Skubal's velocity was on the rise last year in his first season back from flexor-tendon surgery in August of 2022, and his increased velocity early in camp just shows that he's fully healthy entering the 2024 regular season. The 27-year-old southpaw shouldn't be expected to be hitting triple digits often over the course of the season. Skubal finished 2023 by going 4-1 with a 1.25 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, 52 strikeouts and six walks in his final six starts. The former ninth-round pick in 2018 should see an innings boost in 2024 if he stays healthy, making him a popular target in fantasy drafts this spring as a SP2 with upside in the weak American League Central.

Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal said he's been tinkering with his slider and curveball while maintaining his fastball and changeup as he prepares for the 2024 season. Skubal had a strong 2023 campaign, but he'd like to generate more whiffs with his slider. The 27-year-old was a front-line starting pitcher for Detroit last year, going 7-3 with a 2.80 ERA (2.00 FIP) and 0.89 WHIP with 14 walks and 102 strikeouts in 15 starts over 80 1/3 innings pitched. He got a late start to the year while recovering from left flexor-tendon surgery, but he was excellent when he eventually returned. Fantasy managers should expect some regression from Skubal with more innings pitched in 2024, but if he can induce more swings and misses from his slider, his overall skillset is pretty enticing for fantasy managers in a weak division.

Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal has avoided arbitration by way of a one-year, $2.65 million contract. Flexor tendon surgery pushed Skubal's 2023 season debut back to July 4 but he was arguably the best pitcher in baseball from there on out. The 27-year-old worked to a 2.80 ERA across 15 starts and 80 1/3 innings, the sixth-best ERA mark among qualified pitchers in that time. However, Skubal's 2.00 FIP and 3.3 fWAR from July 4 on were both easily the best figures in all of baseball. Tyler Glasnow finished second in both areas with a 2.60 FIP and 2.6 fWAR. Finally, his 28.4% K-BB% was the third-best mark in baseball after his return. As a result, his fantasy stock has risen meteorically and he should be a top draft target this spring.