Detroit Tigers sign Sean Guenther

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The Detroit Tigers take a flyer on left-hander Sean Guenther, and we catch up with some news around MLB.

The Detroit Tigers claimed Sean Guenther off the waivers from the Miami Marlins. Guenther, who went Tommy John surgery back in April, is on the 60-day IL.  As Evan Woodbery of MLive.com pointed out on Twitter, the Tigers would have to do some maneuvering to keep him on the roster.

He pitched 20 innings out of the Marlins bullpen in 2021, posting an ERA of 9.30 (4.10 FIP).  Guenther throws a fastball that can top out at 96MPH, a slider and a changeup.

With the lack of lefties depth, it appears Detroit is exploring all options to add more lefties. Recently, they agreed to a minor league deal with lefty Miguel Del Pozo, who spent the entire season with Toledo. Miguel, who saw a cup of coffee with the Tigers in 2021, struck out 66 in 53 innings of work for the Mud Hens in 2022.

Who is Sean Guenther?

Guenther was drafted by the Marlins in the 7th round in the 2017 draft out of Norte Dame.  He made his Major League debut on August 4th, 2021 against the Mets after posting double digits K per 9’s numbers in both Double-A and Triple-A. 

While his numbers on the MLB level may not be flattering, thanks to the site “Pitching Bot”, and the tip from Steve in the “Tigers Talk” Discord, you can see based on his xCSW% numbers, what he is capable of with Chris Fetter, the Tigers pitching coach, to get his xK% numbers up to a respectable level.

Detroit Tigers

Detroit Tigers

While in the minors, he had no issue with walks. According to Ely Sussman’of FishStripes.com write-up on Sean, he had the lowest walk rate among Marlins minor leaguers who throw 200 innings or more since 2006. Certainly fits the modus operandi that Scott Harris is looking for, someone who can dominate the strike zone.

Detroit Tigers & MLB news and notes

  • Free agency will start in MLB the day after the World Series is over. Previously, it was 5 to 7 days.
  • Toledo Mud Hens manager Lloyd McClendon is not returning to the organization in 2023
  • White Sox have a new manager in Royals bench coach Pedro Grifol.

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