Drew VerHagen News

Drew VerHagen
2013 Rank: 17
ETA: 2014
Position: RHP
Age: 22, DOB: 10/22/1990
Bats: R, Throws: R
Height: 6' 6", Weight: 230
Drafted: 2012, 4th (154) - DET
Twitter: @DrewVerHagen
Scouting Grades* (present/future): Fastball: 6/6 | Curveball: 4/5 | Changeup: 4/5 | Control: 4/5 | Overall: 4/5

VerHagen bounced around a bit as an amateur, pitching at three colleges before coming out of Vanderbilt following his junior season. The Tigers challenged him by sending him to the Florida State League and they like the composure he showed during his time there. His above-average fastball, topping out in the mid-90s, has plus movement on it and generates a ton of groundball outs. His delivery has some issues, but they might be workable, which would help him with his curve and his changeup has the chance to be a tick above-average in the future. All of this comes from a big, athletic frame. If the secondary pitches develop, he has the chance to start. Otherwise, he has the stuff that could help out of a bullpen in some capacity.

The Tigers are promoting Drew VerHagen

By Jason Beck and Bobby Nightengale / MLB.com | 6/19/2013 5:23 P.M. ET

• The Tigers are promoting Drew VerHagen, their fourth-round pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, to the rotation at Double-A Erie, the SeaWolves announced Wednesday. The 22-year-old right-hander is 5-3 with a 2.81 ERA at Class A Lakeland.

VerHagen becoming viable starting pitcher
No. 15 prospect in system has to work on curveball, changeup to be more effective

By Bernie Pleskoff | 7/17/2013 10:08 A.M. ET

Not unlike every other prospect, Drew VerHagen is a work in progress. It takes time to develop a complete pitch repertoire and refined command and control.

But progress is being realized with VerHagen, as he is moving quickly through the Detroit Tigers' Minor League system.

VerHagen is No. 15 on the Tigers' Top 20 Prospects list.

Following three letter-winning years at Rockwall-Heath High School in Texas, the right-handed pitcher started his collegiate career at the University of Oklahoma. He transferred to Navarro College (Texas) and was part of the 2011 Junior College World Series.

VerHagen went from Navarro to Vanderbilt University, a popular source of Tigers Draft selections.

VerHagen's mechanics are a bit stiff at the back end of his delivery, reminding me of a younger Justin Masterson. He isn't as pronounced in his arm action as Masterson, but the delivery isn't without issues. However, VerHagen does look comfortable while pitching, and it isn't likely he will change his mechanics.


The 6-foot-6, 230-pounder had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow as a senior in high school in 2008.

Because of his physical presence on the mound, VerHagen can pitch downhill and come right at the hitter with his long arms; he has outstanding command of a 92-94 mph fastball. If needed, there is more velocity in the tank, but he uses it sparingly. Changing speeds on the same pitch is a good weapon that can be used efficiently the second and third times through a batting order.

VerHagen's fastball generates late life and sink, inducing a great number of ground balls. It is his most dominant and well-developed pitch in a rather limited repertoire. VerHagen's curveball and changeup are not as advanced and not as effective at this point of his development. However, even used in spots, each has a place in his arsenal.

VerHagen has skyrocketed through the Tigers organization, having pitched initially for Detroit's Rookie League team in the Gulf Coast League then being promoted to Class A Advanced Lakeland in the same rookie season.

This season, VerHagen has already spent time at Lakeland before recently being promoted to Double-A Erie. He is being used exclusively as a rotation starter, and the results have been very good. VerHagen's ERA in four starts for the SeaWolves is a very impressive 1.65 in 27 1/3 innings. He has a WHIP of 0.805.

VerHagen doesn't mind pitching to contact. While strikeouts are always valued, he has struck out only an average of five hitters per nine innings in his career. This season, VerHagen is walking an average of 2.6 hitters per nine, a slight improvement over his rookie season.

Once he realizes improvement and refinement of his curve and changeup, VerHagen will offer the Tigers a solid middle- or back-of-the-rotation starting pitching option.

Bernie Pleskoff has served as a professional scout for the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Marte released as Tigers make first spring cuts

By Adam Berry / MLB.com | 3/12/2014 5:56 P.M. ET

LAKELAND, Fla. -- The Tigers made their first round of Spring Training roster cuts Wednesday morning, sending out eight players and unconditionally releasing right-hander Luis Marte.

Marte hasn't pitched for the Tigers since 2012, when he posted a 2.82 ERA in 22 1/3 innings over 13 appearances. The 27-year-old righty pitched in three games for Triple-A Toledo last year before undergoing season-ending surgery on his right shoulder. Marte was designated for assignment when the Tigers signed outfielder Rajai Davis this offseason.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said the decision to release Marte, rather than reassign him, was simply a product of the numbers game.

"He wasn't going to make the big league club, and it was a situation where there really wasn't a spot in Triple-A for him," Ausmus said. "You never want to tell someone that you're releasing them, but the truth is it's better now than later, [because] you have an opportunity to catch on with somebody else.

"He's a great kid, a classy kid. Worked hard. It just wasn't going to work here. Hopefully he can catch on in another organization."

Left-hander Casey Crosby and right-hander Melvin Mercedes were optioned to Triple-A Toledo, while right-hander Jose Valdez and catcher Ramon Cabrera were optioned to Double-A Erie. Right-hander Drew VerHagen, lefties Duane Below and Robbie Ray and catcher James McCann were reassigned to Detroit's Minor League camp.

Ausmus said he and pitching coach Jeff Jones were impressed by VerHagen's mound presence and ability, but the 23-year-old could use more experience. The same could be said for Ray, acquired in the deal that sent Doug Fister to Washington, but Ausmus added that the 22-year-old lefty also needs to refine his secondary offerings before he's Major League-ready.

"I was actually impressed with Robbie," Ausmus said. "He's one of the few guys who has -- we've talked about kind of a swing-and-miss fastball. It plays up a couple miles per hour on the radar gun. But I think it's important for him to not only go down and gain experience, but work on his secondary pitches -- specifically the breaking ball, and see if we can tighten that up. But I certainly liked how he pitched.

"He's definitely close. A lot of it's going to depend on the secondary pitches. If he commands his secondary pitches, he's going to be a Major League pitcher, because his fastball plays in the Major Leagues right now."

After their first wave of spring roster moves, the Tigers have 46 players remaining in Major League camp.

Adam Berry is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @adamdberry. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.