is justin verlander ready

[ricky151]

He has a great breaking ball and good velocity, but how will he fair in the majors. I think hes a year away, but he is pencilled in as the 5th starter as of now. I think he needs a full AAA season, he's no Felix Hernandez.

[racosun]

It'll be a battle in ST between Verlander and Zumaya for that fifth spot. My money's on Verlander, but Zumaya is pretty darn good as well. Both big power pitchers.

[NShlain]

It'll be a battle in ST between Verlander and Zumaya for that fifth spot. My money's on Verlander, but Zumaya is pretty darn good as well. Both big power pitchers.

Colon
Ledezma
and others are up for the 5th spot, if Verlander doesn't win it out of spring training, then he aint that good.

[Tigersfan91]

My guess is that Verlander wins the 5th spot in the rotation in Spring Training short of an outstanding performance from Colon. I see Colon being the Tigers long relief guy and spot starter. He can easily spell Verlander to keep his IP's in check.

But I also see Zumaya making the big league club out of Spring Training as a reliever though. Everyone assumes he's going to be converted into a reliever soon enough and that can just add to the pen.

[Tinyballer]

You know what if i was the tigers management i would give three-four spots to the young guns and let them develop with the major leaguers because they ain't gonna win no world series this year so might as well develop the future. but since i ain't the manager i think verlander is gonna end up with the fifth spot

[moldyoldie]

You have several high-profile veterans on this ballclub: Guillen, Maggs, Pudge, Young, Rogers, Jones, etc. I don't think you plop two or three rookies into the rotation and let them sink or swim with a team of veterans; the latter would revolt!

Keep the fifth spot in the rotation open for competition. Some time in Toledo pitching regularly at the start of the season wouldn't hurt any of them.

From what I read, Zumaya has a "violent" delivery much as did Matt Anderson; look what eventually happened to him! I've always believed one should think long-term with young pitchers; work on proper mechanics and how to "pitch" in AAA before throwing them into the fire of the big show, where young pitchers do have a tendency to "overthrow".

[Twisted Wicker]

I think I read somewhere that Zoom's delivery has been tamed down a bit, not 100% positive, though.

I really hope we keep Zoom as a starter though. It's always harder to find a decent starter than a decent reliever.

[moldyoldie]

Verlander has nothing to prove in AAA; neither did Matt Anderson. I say let him work out any kinks in the bigs as the fifth starter. He may get whacked a few times, but he needs to face big league hitters; he seems mature enough to handle it. Only then will it be determined if he needs more minor league seasoning. It also seems he can control his stuff and throw his wicked breaking pitch for outs.

[djhutch]

He's roughly the same age as Bonderman, & with Colon apparently struggling in Spring Training so far - my guess is Verlander will be the starter. That would be fine with me. I expect Colon in the bullpen & Zumaya at AAA.

[Damus/777]

It's hard to read the pitchers this early. For instance yesterday, it was evident Colon was still not loose enough to display his breaking ball more. Some guys start slower in Florida than others for various reasons.

I said it in February - so I'll mention it again. Dave wants to save-face on the Farnsworth trade ASAP! He has to show Ilitch a return on that trade - faster than Zach Miner's apparent skills. Roman will get first crack at starting in April - unless he stinks up the joint this spring in Florida real bad.

The Tigers also need to make a decision on Ledezma. So he will get a long look - if for no other reason than staying exposed for other teams to see ... ie... trade material at the end of camp.

I also still believe that Zumaya gets the third look behind Colon & Ledezma. I don't expect to see Verlander wearing the English-D until the July-end trading deadline - when the Tigers will surely make a deal or two then.

Alot of folks seem to think that Verlander has a breaking ball that's ready for the big leagues. Personally, I feel Justin's fastball & change-up are major league-ready. I see Justin's breaker as needing to slow it down in speed - right between his fastball and change-up speeds.

Then a star will be born instantly - the kid has a chance to be something special.

:atthepc
NostraFucious

[TRIPxCORE]

Verlander and Zumaya are two hot, young commodities. They will be very exciting to watch. Detroit is lucky to have two such guys getting ready to play for them.

[moldyoldie]

I guess this makes it official. Both Verlander and Zumaya make the opening day roster; Verlander as the fifth starter.

Three bullpen spots are still in contention.

[Paulmcall]

I think they should throw them out there and see what they can do. Just make sure they don't throw their arms out. It's amazing how many top prospects have wrecked their arms over the years on the Tigers.
They seem to have the stuff to be very good. Let's hope the coaches use them correctly.

[racosun]

I think they should throw them out there and see what they can do. Just make sure they don't throw their arms out. It's amazing how many top prospects have wrecked their arms over the years on the Tigers.
They seem to have the stuff to be very good. Let's hope the coaches use them correctly.

Absolutely. On top of that, they'd better baby Jeremy Bonderman for another year as well. He's really young yet, too, and that threesome could dominate for years, as long as the front-office realizes that those years are not here yet.

[Tigersfan91]

My guess is that Verlander wins the 5th spot in the rotation in Spring Training short of an outstanding performance from Colon. I see Colon being the Tigers long relief guy and spot starter. He can easily spell Verlander to keep his IP's in check.

But I also see Zumaya making the big league club out of Spring Training as a reliever though. Everyone assumes he's going to be converted into a reliever soon enough and that can just add to the pen.

All we need is to have Colon take a bullpen spot and my early February prediction comes true.