Detroit Tigers add Casey Mize & Tarik Skubal, but don’t forget about fireballer Matt Manning

Detroit Free Press

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila hasn’t forgotten about right-hander Matt Manning.

But he didn’t include him in the trio of prospects — righty Casey Mize, lefty Tarik Skubal and third baseman Isaac Paredes — in Monday’s announcement of the newest additions to the team’s MLB roster.

[ The Free Press has started a new digital subscription model. Here’s how you can gain access to our most exclusive sports content. ]

Manning, the No. 9 overall pick from the 2016 draft, will remain with the reserve squad at the alternate training site at Fifth Third Field in Toledo, where Avila said he needs to continue developing his command, control and make mechanical tweaks.

“It’s a little bit longer with him now,” Avila said Monday.

[ What you need to know about the Tigers’ new callups ]

Manning could be called up later this season.

Mize, Skubal and Paredes are the test run for the Tigers’ farm system, a methodical trial and error for what comes next. While Avila watches them intently, he won’t count out Manning from joining as the organization’s plan unfolds.

“It’ll be a great process,” Avila said, “Hopefully, a few more guys will be coming along in the not too distant future. We’ll see how that develops. It’s exciting for this year and what’s going to happen in the remainder of the year.”

[ Tigers pitching coach evaluates Casey Mize, Matt Manning: Here’s what he said ]

Manning, 22, spent the 2019 season in Double-A Erie, making 24 starts across 133⅔ innings for now-former manager Mike Rabelo. He had an 11-5 record, 2.56 ERA, 0.980 WHIP and 148 strikeouts compared to 38 walks.

Rabelo believes the Tigers should be just as excited about the 6-foot-6 Manning, son of former NBA player Rich Manning, as they are with Mize and Skubal. His fastball touches 97 mph, his curveball’s spin-rate has jumped, and his changeup continues to make strides.

“His body is only getting bigger and stronger,” Rabelo, now an assistant hitting coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates, told the Free Press on Monday. “When he’s pitching, it looks like he is literally putting the ball in the catcher’s mitt with a big overhand breaking ball. I’m excited.”

[ Tigers might have their hand forced, if Matt Manning’s dad has anything to say about it ]

When summer camp opened in July, Manning made the 60-game squad and said he felt “pretty close” to ready for the big-league level. As it turns out, he needs to wait a bit longer.

Like Manning, right-hander Alex Faedo, the No. 18 overall pick in 2017, needs further development. The 24-year-old missed most of Detroit’s summer camp on the 10-day injured list and couldn’t return until July 20. He was one of six players with an undisclosed injury.

Faedo fell off the map in 2018, his fastball velocity hovering around 90 mph, his pitching arm still rusty from a nearly nine-month layoff after the College World Series. But in 22 games for Erie last season, he logged a 3.90 ERA, 1.118 WHIP, 134 strikeouts and 25 walks in 115⅓ innings. Since being selected from Florida, he has 244 strikeouts in 236⅓ innings.

“He also is working on some stuff, too,” Avila said. “Just kind of regaining some strength there, also.”

[ How Alex Faedo reclaimed his place in Tigers rebuild — with help from Michigan ]

Evan Petzold is a sports reporting intern at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold. The Free Press has started a new digital subscription model. Here’s how you can gain access to our most exclusive Detroit Tigers content. 

Articles You May Like

Tigers Designate Miguel Diaz For Assignment
2024 Player preview: Kerry Carpenter looks to build on a strong debut
2024 Player Preview: Parker Meadows looks ready to seize the leadoff spot
Series Preview: Tigers open up 2024 MLB season on road at Chicago White Sox
BYB Roundtable: Predictions for Detroit Tigers, 2024 MLB season

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *