The Tigers announced this afternoon that right-hander Drew Hutchison and lefty Ian Krol were removed from the 40-man roster and cleared outright waivers. Both players had more than enough service time to elect minor league free agency.
Hutchison had a pair of separate stints with the Tigers this past season, his first big league action in three years. A back-of-the-rotaion option with the Blue Jays and Pirates early in his career, Hutchison started all nineteen of his Triple-A outings this year but came out of the bullpen for seven of his nine big league appearances. He ultimately worked 21 1/3 frames of 2.11 ERA ball at the MLB level, but his peripherals were far less impressive than that bottom line run prevention mark.
The 31-year-old walked 11 of the 91 big league hitters he faced (12.1%), while striking out just ten (11%). Because of those poor strikeout and walk numbers, Hutchison posted just a 5.98 SIERA, and the Detroit front office determined it best to part ways rather than bring him back via arbitration, where he’d been projected to land a salary in the $900K range. To his credit, Hutchison had a decent season with Triple-A Toledo, tossing 88 1/3 frames of 3.77 ERA ball with serviceable peripherals. That solid work should earn him some minor league offers with Spring Training invitations this winter.
Krol also made it back to the majors for the first time since 2018. The 30-year-old worked 18 2/3 frames of relief, pitching to a 4.34 ERA with a below-average 20.9% strikeout rate but a fine 9.3% walk percentage. He’d also been projected for a $900K arbitration salary but will instead hit the open market in search of a new opportunity.
Can’t get one of those sweet independent league gigs unless one frees one’s self from those oppressive big league shackles.
I thought Drew Hutchison deserved more appearances. The Tiger defense let him down mostly. Not every pitcher needs to throw 100 mph but pitching staffs need contrasting pitching styles.
That these two were able to return to the majors and contribute is a testament to how far Detroit’s development staff has come!
Will be depth options for major league teams in 22.
The bottom feeders, anyway.
Like I said, giving players the opportunity to showcase on the MLB level without getting anything in return……not productive for the Tigers’ future…..
Why Al, Why?
Never listens the me……
Next Al will be signing huge contacts…just because he can…instead thinking and acting as a strategist.