2025 MLB First-Half Recap: Detroit Tigers

The Pitching

The Good

Before we get to the stars, let’s start with Javier Baez & Spencer Torkelson, two key pieces of the Tigers’ 2025 offense. Those are words that, had someone said a year ago, would have been a jarring sentence to hear.

Javier Baez has been critical for the Tigers, as he’s played four different positions and settled well in center field. However, what’s been the major surprise is the offense, as he’s produced at levels not seen since 2021. He slashed .275/.310/.442 with 10 home runs in the first half.

Baez made some adjustments to his setup in 2025, namely closing off his stance more & getting more in front of the plate and not as deep. He’s still that habitual chaser but in 2025, the breaking balls (.458 SLG) and fastballs (.425 SLG) have not given him too much trouble.

As for Torkelson, the power has always been there. But for 2025, he too made adjustments, getting more crouched and athletic at the plate. And like Baez, Torkelson — once on the fringes — dug himself out of the hole to be a contributor. The #1 pick in 2020 hit 21 home runs in the first half, tied for 12th in the Majors.

Getting back to the stars, Riley Greene ended the first half tied with James Wood for eighth in the Majors in home runs (24). Greene was one of four Tigers hitters to be All-Stars, alongside Baez, Zach McKinstry, and Gleyber Torres.

As for the pitching, it’s been close to exceptional. Even though the Tigers lost depth when rookie Jackson Jobe to season-ending elbow surgery, it’s hard to argue with what Detroit received from their rotation.

Tarik Skubal, the starter for the American League All-Stars, could win his second Cy Young award. Reese Olson and Casey Mize, the latter of whom has had a major bounceback season, have also been strong.

Jack Flaherty, who returned to the Motor City, struck out 130 over his first 103.2 IP.

Lastly, the Tigers found their ninth-inning man, as Will Vest notched 15 saves before the break.

The Bad

There’s not a ton to nitpick with the Tigers, although there have been some troubling developments in the first half.

One is Tyler Holton, the uber-valuable reliever from 2024 who conceded 10 home runs across his first 50.1 IP of 2025.

Two, the fact that Parker Meadows (54 OPS+) and Jace Jung (.356 OPS) didn’t click with Detroit during the first half. Meadows, by the way, struck out 36 times over 119 plate appearances before the break.

However, with all the positives — whether it be the deep rotation and resurgence of Baez & Torkelson, among others — it’s hard to complain with what Detroit has done thus far.

What to Expect in the Second Half

Last year, the Tigers opted to sell, trading away Jack Flaherty before the team rattled off win after win in September. This year, Detroit should be buyers.

The Tigers have a strong group of starters, as well as several hitters who’ve gotten back on track. However, adding another bat may not be a bad idea.

Detroit didn’t land a third baseman last winter, and despite Zach McKinstry being productive, the Tigers can move him around the field. Could someone like Eugenio Suarez, once a prospect in the Tigers’ system, be of interest?

First-half stats as of All-Star break. Cited stats, unless otherwise indicated, in paragraphs as of writing.