The Tigers announced yesterday they’re recalling pitching prospect Alex Faedo to make his MLB debut. He’ll get the start in the second game of today’s doubleheader against the Pirates.
Faedo, 26, was Detroit’s first-round pick in the 2017 draft after a standout career at the University of Florida. Regarded as a potential top five talent at one point, he slipped to 18th after a bit of a slow start to his draft year. Faedo was excellent late in that season, though, helping the Gators to a national title. Between his college resume, strong sinker-slider combination and strike-throwing ability, he looked like a potential quick-moving rotation piece.
Things haven’t played out that way, in large part due to injury. Faedo didn’t pitch during his post-draft summer as the Tigers managed his innings following the deep postseason run in college. The following year, he got out to a decent start at High-A but struggled after a midseason promotion to Double-A. Faedo repeated that level in 2019 and fared better, posting a 3.90 ERA with a 28.3% strikeout rate in 115 1/3 innings. He looked as if he might be a potential MLB option by 2020, but Faedo suffered a forearm strain and was shut down that August.
While the team had initially hoped to avoid surgery, he required a Tommy John procedure in December. Faedo was nevertheless added to the Detroit 40-man roster to keep him from being taken in the Rule 5 draft, but he spent the entire 2021 season on the injured list. Baseball America ranked him the #20 prospect in the organization this past offseason, noting that his recent injury history and below-average changeup may eventually push him towards a bullpen role. For now, he remains a starting pitching option, where he should at least pound the strike zone and miss some bats with his slider.
Faedo tossed five scoreless innings with eight strikeouts during his first start at Triple-A Toledo this year. That’s his only experience at the minors’ top level to date, and it’s possible he’ll head back out on optional assignment immediately after today’s outing. He figures to get an extended big league look at some point fairly soon, however, and Detroit’s recent spate of rotation injuries could force him to assume a significant role in the coming months.
The Tigers are without each of Casey Mize, Matt Manning and Tyler Alexander due to arm injuries. Eduardo Rodríguez, Tarik Skubal, Michael Pineda and rookie Beau Brieske are the top four currently-healthy arms. Detroit hasn’t expressed much concern about possible long-term absences for Mize or Manning, but both righties are in the early stages of throwing programs. The Tigers don’t have an off day until May 19, and they’re faced with doubleheaders both this afternoon and next Tuesday against Oakland.
Joey Wentz and Elvin Rodríguez are starting games in Toledo, as is non-roster veteran Chase Anderson. The Tigers also have former starters Drew Hutchison and Wily Peralta working as multi-inning bullpen options in the majors. Manager A.J. Hinch recently reiterated that he prefers Peralta in a relief role, so it doesn’t seem as if he’ll step into the rotation mix (link via Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free-Press).
Unless Faedo can stop allowing so many flyballs he’s going to get lit up because he doesn’t get enough strikeouts generally.
That appears less true recently than earlier in his career. In 2019 and 2022 he has been well over a K an inning.
I have always thought he was better suited to the bullpen because he only has two plus-plus pitches.
Not necessarily in Detroit. That CF is a flyball cemetery.
Fly balls are outs.
Sadly except when they are not
When I found out about today’s double-header, I questioned the wisdom of moving up Faedo for just one game given that he just recovered from Tommy John surgery and pitched just one game in AAA. However, he’s on the 40-man roster, there are more games than days for the next month, and he can easily be optioned back after the game. Do well young man!
Detroit seems like they might be really good soon. Of course they could also turn into the next late 90s/early 2000s Chicago Cubs with Wood/Prior/Zambrano/Clement also. Some good seasons, but I don’t think anyone could say they weren’t disappointing on the whole.
Faedo has looked good this year, he’s progressing faster than I expected.
Congratulations, Mr. Faedo!
Sit faedo, sit
Hey, is that a cinnamon tooth pick ?
Idk, all I know is he has had that toothpick in his mouth for at least 25 Years! I’m in my early 30s and remember that even back when I was a kid id see him with that toothpick! He loved his toothpicks. It’s kind of nostalgic.
Well, Mr. Fulmar came back from his TJ surgery better than ever. Hopefully, Mr Faedo can do the same. Lord knows, the Tigers need him.
Nice to see Faedo finally getting thrown a bone.
Nice to finally see Faedo healthy and pitching well
Avila rebuilt the Tigers into a dynasty.
Faedo will be great depth piece.
LHSP Joey Wentz, acquired from the Braves in the Shane Greene trade is also a top starting prospect going into his 2nd year off Tommy John surgery also.
We will probably see him in Detroit soon!
Tigers need to get starters healthy before they fall out of it completely. Too bad cause the whole division is struggling
The Tigers are looking good. Finally having a S.S. that can hit as well as field has been decades now. The most shocking thing was the lack of attendance for the game.. I know I took two years off when they dropped down during the first game in 2020 anthem.
I came back, held my breath for the opener, and was glad they did not dis America. The Tigers are looking good though. The system is deep, the F.A.’s are nice at prices they can afford. In June we should see how good the pitching is, but it’s been good enough to have a better record.
Who knows about the future, but the Tigers are fun to watch again, and they have a lot of young guys to come up.