No one likes to make lists of anything and everything more than those who cover and follow MLB.
It’s compulsive, but in a good way: these lists are useful when trying to rank players or teams, and they are always fun.
The folks at B/R Walk-Off put together quite an exciting list: 10 underrated players who are ready to explode in 2024.
A member of the young, but really talented Detroit Tigers rotation headlines the list: Tarik Skubal.
Did we miss anyone? pic.twitter.com/5NCB6fJp8a
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) February 28, 2024
Some of those players, like Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Freddy Peralta, have actually been good for a while.
You can even say that’s the case with Skubal, but in reality, he still hasn’t had that jaw-dropping, sub-3.00 ERA over 180 innings or so.
That doesn’t mean he hasn’t shown glimpses of his talent, though.
He did in 2022 and 2023, and is now ready to graduate as the Tigers’ ace in 2024.
In 2022, he posted a very solid 3.52 ERA in 117.2 innings, with 117 strikeouts.
His Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) that year was a much better 2.90, which indicates that his defense might have costed him better numbers.
Then, he had a mini breakout last year when he returned from injury to post a 2.80 ERA and 1.99 (!) FIP in 80.1 frames.
He walked 14 hitters and struck out a whopping 102 batters: 7.29 for every base on balls.
As long as Skubal keeps limiting his walks and striking out the whole world, his chances of succeeding and maintaining a low ERA are very high.
His excellent fastball, poise, and improving command are taking him far.
Will he take the surging Tigers with him?
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