The 2023 Erie SeaWolves is a win for Tigers pitching development

The Erie SeaWolves won their first Eastern League title in their team history on Tuesday, defeating Binghamton 10-0. It was the first title by a Detroit Tigers Double-A affiliate since another former Eastern League team, the London Tigers, did in 1990. Manager Gabe Alvarez, who took the same buses and road trips that his players did while playing in the minors for both San Diego and Detroit before making to Tiger Stadium in 1998, was instrumental in putting together lineups and pitching matchups that were essential to Erie’s title run.

Behind the scenes, Ryan Garko, Gabe Rivas and others have focused on maximizing the potential of players across all four levels this season. In prospect development, the goal extends beyond mere wins and losses; the emphasis is on players’ significant improvements. While this may seem straightforward, it has posed challenges for Detroit, a team that has struggled to develop prospects capable of contributing at the big-league level since its last World Series win. Depending on whom you ask, fans are indifferent to the methods employed to secure victories, so long as the team continues its winning ways.

What sets the Tigers’ minor league system apart over the last two seasons is evidence that Detroit can maintain a consistent pipeline of players contributing at the big-league level. This plays a vital role in fostering a winning culture. Let’s examine the indicators of progress and factors that have enabled all four affiliates to achieve meaningful advancements.

Minor league pitching by the numbers:

(data organization courtesy of Jerry Mackihem)

One consistent element across both Toledo and Erie’s pitching staffs this season was the organizational philosophy championed by Scott Harris: dominate the strike zone. Both teams exceeded league average, with several pitchers making significant strides toward this goal over the course of the season. Pitching remains the organization’s strength. Reese Olson, a key contributor to Erie’s 2022 playoff run, has joined the Tigers’ rotation this season and has emerged as one of their most effective starters. Sawyer Gipson-Long, who learned a cutter this season, thanks to Tigers assistant pitching coach Robin Lund, looking at the numbers, took a huge leap forward.

Keider Montero moved up three levels this season as his strikeout numbers improved from last season. He led the system in strikeouts with 160.

Tigers pitchers strikeout rate comparison year over year.

In the postseason, the Erie SeaWolves’ bullpen trio of Andrew Magno, Blake Holub and Tyler Mattison delivered nine scoreless innings. They allowed only two hits, issued two walks and struck out 12. Mattison stood out, fanning seven batters in four innings. As noted in the chart above, among relievers, he made the most significant growth as far as strikeouts go. In talking to several pitchers this season, the Tigers have them work on various pitches. Hurter worked on his change, as did Gipson-Long, who changed his grip on other pitches he threw this season.

Keider Montero, Sawyer Gipson-Long, Wilmer Flores and after talking to Brant Hurter on Thursday in Erie, the changeup continues to be the pitch that the organization has been an emphasis for pitches to focus on and it has worked. pic.twitter.com/550U56ZD97

— Rogelio Castillo (@rogcastbaseball) September 24, 2023

Has this helped the pitching depth for 2024?

With Jackson Jobe, Montero, and Ty Madden improving this season, this should allow Detroit to focus on acquiring more hitting for their lineup. Pitchers are sequencing better, Thanks to the development team, they are getting their pitchers to utilize their best pitches possible.  Tomorrow we will dive into how the hitting faired across the system as the Tigers do face some questions at numerous positions heading into 2024.

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