Tigers preseason capsule: Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, team ready to attack

Detroit Tigers

2024 record: 86-76 (3rd place, AL Central)

He gone: OF Mark Canha, INF Jonathan Schoop.

New faces: RHP John Brebbia, RHP Jack Flaherty, RHP Tommy Kahnle, INF Gleyber Torres.

Biggest question entering Opening Day: How will the attack and defense compensate for spring training injuries to OFs Parker Meadows (nerve issue in upper right arm) and Matt Vierling (rotator cuff)? With OFs Kerry Carpenter and Riley Greene in the mix, the Tigers figure to weather any potential troubles for a time, and the return of OF Wenceel Perez from a back from injury offers another encouraging reinforcement. Getting and staying healthy in the outfield once Meadows and Vierling return will be crucial.

Top prospect: RHP Jackson Jobe projects as an ace-in-waiting with his blend of velocity and command. The third overall pick in the 2021 draft, Jobe could have the chance to break camp with Detroit. He showed flashes of his potential with four scoreless innings of relief over two appearances last September.

Breakout player: Still just 25, 1B Spencer Torkelson again is aiming to channel the stuff that made him the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2020. He had 31 HRs and 94 RBIs in 2023 and must maintain his production when the season starts to avoid a repeat of 2024, when struggles sent him to Triple-A for two months before he rejoined the club for the stretch run. He finished the major league season with 10 HRs and 37 RBIs.

2025 outlook: With reigning AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal and veteran addition Flaherty anchoring the starting staff and Kahnle bolstering the bullpen, the Tigers are primed to limit opponents. They'll need to kick-start the offense, though, to return to the playoffs and improve on last season's advancement to the ALDS.

--Field Level Media