Montero's velocity surged, McGonigle shows power, and the bullpen auditions were rough. Early spring training reveals Tigers' strengths and struggles against the Yankees.
The box score today was ugly and in the grand scheme of things, it doesnt matter but there was three takeaways in the Tigers 20-3 loss to the Yankees Saturday afternoon in Tampa.
1. Keider Montero’s Statcast Early Spring Training Results Show Improvement.
It’s important to remember this was the first game of spring training, so the focus is more on traits than results. Montero’s Statcast data showed encouraging raw stuff, particularly his velocity. His four-seam fastball averaged 96.3 mph, up roughly two-plus ticks from his typical average, and his secondary pitches, slider, curveball, sinker and changeup, all showed similar early-camp velocity bumps.
He mixed all five pitches, with the four-seamer leading usage, suggesting the outing was more about getting work in and establishing feel than leaning on one weapon. The movement profile looked mostly in line with expectations, though command and consistency were understandably uneven.
The swing-and-miss numbers were modest, and hitters made fairly loud contact at times, but that’s not uncommon this early as pitchers focus on execution and building rhythm. The takeaway isn’t the results, in the case of the home run he gave up to Aaron Judge, it’s that Montero’s arm strength looked live, and the foundation of a deep pitch mix was on display as he begins his spring buildup.
2. Kevin McGonigle Makes First Step Towards Starting at Short
His single was the first hit of the day for the Tigers and it was 104.5 MPH off the bat off one of the better Yankees prospects in Carlos Lagrange, who threw the pitch at 100.5 MPH. He hit 102.4 MPH at some point so it wasnt a cheap bloop. With the news of Trey Sweeney having shoulder issues, McGoingle will get more reps to make his case to head north to Detroit. The evidence at this point, seems overwhelming.
3. Infield Takes
Hao-Yu Lee, who subbed in for Colt Keith at third, made a few diving stops but had a hard time making throws to first. He finished the day going 1-for-2 at the plate with an infield single. Jace Jung, playing first base for the first time, had a new look swing.
4. Bad bullpen day
The Tigers bullpen, which several of the arms were signed for depth purposes for Toledo and Erie, gave up five home runs and walked 10. Of the arms that pitched, only Drew Sommers was the only one on the 40-man roster. He walked two and finished the day with a strikeout.
The Tigers resume spring training action on Sunday for the home opener at Publix Field in Lakeland as Jack Flahtery takes the mound against Kyle Bradish with first pitch at 1:05 PM.
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