The Detroit Tigers can finally rest easy with a firm grip on the AL Central division, heading into October. Thus, they can now look to figure out their September roster, and one name to watch out for is 25-year-old RHP Dylan Smith. Teams can add two more players this month, and for someone like a sureshot contender as Detroit, it will be more about which strategy they want for the postseason.
Smith has pitched 13 innings across seven appearances, allowing only two earned runs, finishing with a 1.38 ERA. In Triple-A, he had 37 punchouts in 26⅔ frames. While his strikeout rate might have taken a dip, his ability to throw multiple innings could come in handy for Detroit in their pursuit of a deep run in October.
However, it all starts with Smith coming off his shoulder strain injury that has kept him off the field since early July. Reports suggest a return in September and with that in mind, Tremayne Person of Motor City Bengals believes Smith could be one person who would join the extended roster.
What Smith bring to the table?
As noted by Person, Smith brings a high-velocity fastball (93-96 mph) and a sharp mid-80s sweeper. This type of stuff is what is needed from a middle-inning reliever to bridge a gap between starters and closers.
For A.J. Hinch’s bullpen, Smith could prove to be a versatile addition that they can audition in September before picking him for a crucial postseason spot. It remains to be seen if the Tigers find him a valuable asset.