Detroit Tigers to use Tyler Alexander into a hybrid role in 2022

The Detroit Tigers have several options to move forward with the 2022 season when it comes to their pitching staff and their rotation. As it stands, the team needs to concentrate their spending on rounding out the bullpen, but they have to consider adding one more starter.

Southpaw Tyler Alexander is projected to be the team’s fifth starter. He’s bounced around the Detroit Tigers pitching staff, and in 2022 he will likely do the same. However, the Tigers need to add a starting pitcher, even if it’s a cheap contract with a spring training invite.

Alexander has been sort of a diamond in the rough. While he has not been some top-flight talent or Cy Young candidate, he’s been an exceptional addition to the Tigers pitching staff. He’s been steady and reliable for the Tigers, and they will capitalize on him being around again in 2022.

The Tigers will have to do something with Alexander for the 2022 season, and it seems like utilizing him in a hybrid role is going to be the best option; since he may not be the perfect starter but can fill in as a spot starter or depth starter when needed.

Detroit Tigers should use Tyler Alexander in a hybrid role.

In 2021, Alexander would appear in 41 games, making 15 starts along the way and totaling 106.1 innings pitched. Alexander would pitch to a 3.81 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP while adding 87 punchouts to his credit along the way.

While he may not have this overwhelming presence on the mound pumping 100 mph heat or debuting a wipeout slider, but Alexander has been consistent. After two back-to-back seasons being successful with the Tigers pitching staff, they should be looking to see it again in 2022.

Looking at things, when Alexander is used as a starter, he tends to be solid for the first time through the order and begins to falter after that at times. It’s similar to another southpaw the Tigers used to run out there, Daniel Norris, who was traded at the 2021 trade deadline.

When Alexander is coming out of the bullpen has been more of a long-reliever or middle reliever, and it allows the Tigers to utilize him in another way. Heading into the 2022 season, the Tigers should be looking to keep Alexander’s usage varying.

Being able to mix and match his usage between a starter, middle-reliever, or left-hander to come out of the pen for matchups but have the ability to throw multiple innings will be huge.

The Tigers need to continue utilizing Alexander in multiple ways, and he will continue to be the steady arm that A.J. Hinch can rely on. Plus, that mustache is 60-grade, easily.