Detroit Tigers: Grading The 2019 Players For Their Performances
By Tyler Kotila
It’s no secret that Matthew Boyd headlines the starting rotation, but did he deserve an A after he seemed to forget how to be dominant towards the end of the season?
Matthew Boyd: B
After an incredible start to the season, prompting TOO many trade rumors, Boyd tanked his trade stock and ended up staying with the Tigers. He finished the year 9-12 with an ERA of 4.56, WHIP or 1.23, and 238 strikeouts over 185.1 innings pitched.
However, from the month of July through the end of the season, Boyd made fifteen starts totaling a 4-8 record with a 5.56 ERA, allowing twenty-two home runs in just 83.2 innings pitched. For being the Tigers ace, he started strong, but the end of the season was not pretty at all.
6.91 ERA, -0.4 WAR, and a 1-13 record says enough. Do the Tigers really have to pay this man for the 2020 season?
The 2019 season was a chance for Turnbull to prove he belongs in the 2019 rotation. With a complete lack of run support, his record suffered big time, posting a 3-17 season. Turnbull had a 4.61 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, and struck out 146 hitters over 148.1 innings pitched.
His changeup developed well during the season, and he showed glimpses as to the dominant pitcher he could be, but he needs to show more in his second full season with the Tigers. But it’s hard to give someone an A of any kind when he led the major leagues with seventeen losses and had a 4.50+ ERA and a 1.44 WHIP.
The twenty-six-year-old Norris posted a 3-13 record with a 4.49 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 125 strikeouts through 144.1 innings pitched. Norris proved something to the Tigers whether they realized it or not this season, Norris is solid as a “one time through the order” guy.
If the Detroit Tigers were to let Norris go one time through the order and turn it over to the bullpen (providing the bullpen was good), he could be a better arm for this organization. His career splits have hitters batting only .236 in their first plate appearance against Norris as a starter, and .285 in their second plate appearance. After that, the numbers shoot up above .300, and it gets dicey.