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Over the offseason, many wondered how the Detroit Tigers‘ starting rotation would fare after losing Rick Porcello and Max Scherzer. Through the first six weeks of the 2015 campaign, the Tigers’ starting staff has been both good and bad.
Yes, 2012 AL Cy Young award winner David Price has done great work upon assuming the role of the team’s ace, but plenty of question marks remain. Anibal Sanchez was tremendous in his latest outing against the Minnesota Twins, but his 4.76 ERA is still quite a bit higher than what fans are used to seeing. Alfredo Simon has been quite good, but his second-half collapse with the Cincinnati Reds last season is far from a distant memory.
Kyle Lobstein, who is currently filling in for Justin Verlander, has shined at times, but he was roughed up in his latest outing, giving up seven hits and six earned runs over 2.1 innings of work against the Twins. Furthermore, Shane Greene, who has had as many highs and lows as anyone in the Tigers’ rotation, left his outing on Friday after going only five innings against the St. Louis Cardinals. It was later reported that he would be undergoing an MRI on his elbow on Saturday.
If it turns out that Greene will require a trip to the DL or Lobstein has another rough outing or two, the Tigers may eventually need to consider turning to prospect Buck Farmer. After all, Verlander’s return still appears to be a ways off yet.
Last season, Farmer rose quickly through the Tigers’ farm system, going 12-6 with a 3.07 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP across three levels (Single-A West Michigan, Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo). He also saw action with the Tigers, going 0-1 with an 11.57 ERA and a 1.82 WHIP over four games (two starts). However, he is a much better pitcher than what he showed during his first cup of coffee in the big leagues.
Farmer is off to a terrific start in Toledo this season, going 4-1 with a 3.32 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. He has also struck out 47 batters in only 38 innings pitched.
It should be noted that Baseball America named Farmer the Tigers’ third-best prospect over the offseason, which placed him behind only slugging outfielder Steven Moya and second baseman Devon Travis. Of course, Travis was later traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for Anthony Gose, moving Farmer up yet another spot.
Detroit’s farm system is not viewed as being particularly deep, but Farmer is clearly one of the bright spots. If the need arises, the Tigers may be wise to give the 24-year-old another chance to show what he can do. It is not out of the realm of possibility that Farmer could give the staff a bit of a boost.
Brad Faber is a Senior Writer and Sabermetrics Columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Brad_Faber, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on LinkedIn or Google.
