Detroit Tigers' left-hander Tarik Skubal wowed people at spring training on Tuesday as he hit 100 MPH during a live batting practice session.
Per Tigers' reporter Chris McCoskey on social media:
Tarik Skubal hit 100 mph on his last pitch of live BP today. Woof
The 27-year-old California native appears primed for a breakout season now that he's fully recovered from flexor tendon surgery and its subsequent issues.
The 100 MPH fastball represented an upgrade over the 95.8 MPH he averaged upon return last season. A three-plus MPH improvement isn't necessarily sustainable but the fact that Skubal appears to have added to an already good fastball is a nice sign for Detroit.
The Tigers finished second last year in the American League Central and appear ready to take another step forward. In addition to Skubal, the team is looking at healthy years from the previously injured Casey Mize and Matt Manning in the starting rotation too. They've also added Kenta Maeda, Jack Flaherty and Mark Canha to the roster this offseason.
Skubal made 15 starts a season ago after coming back and went 7-3 with a 2.80 ERA. He struck out 102 batters in 80.1 innings. He's a four-year veteran who has spent every year of his career with the Tigers. Skubal has gone 23-27 with a 3.87 ERA lifetime.
Detroit will open up the regular season on March 28 on the road at the Chicago White Sox, who are projected to finish fourth or fifth in the American League Central.
With velocity like this, perhaps Skubal is a candidate to start on Opening Day.
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