Tarik Skubal

Tarik Skubal

29-Year-Old PitcherSP
Detroit Tigers
2026 Fantasy Outlook
Skubal has now logged more than 450 regular-season innings since putting his August 2022 Tommy John Surgery in the rearview mirror. Simply put, he has been a dominating force on the mound in that time, winning a Cy Young while leading all pitchers (min 450 IP) in ERA, strikeout rate, WHIP, K-BB percentage, opponents' batting average and kissing babies. His postseason efforts were just icing on the cake, even if Detroit could not muster enough offense in his support. He has garnered a win in nearly 50 percent of his starts and a quality start in 62 percent of his outings and has answered the durability concerns, which clouded his future as he came back from surgery in 2023. The only risk for Skubal now is, where does he go from here, literally and figuratively? Skubal is heading into the final year of his contract with Detroit, and the initial $100M contract extension offer was not well received according to the hot stove. There is a chance Skubal could be dealt away from Detroit, resulting in a different home park, but Skubal seems to be at his best against the best, as his 1.90 ERA against teams over .500 in 2025 would reinforce. Skubal has also pitched at an elite statistical level since returning from surgery, and the odds of him taking it to an even higher level are not a strong as the odds of him regressing a bit in 2026 under the spotlight of pending free agency and contract extension talks. Pitchers in the first round are risky, but nobody would blame you for pulling the trigger on Skubal. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
From Preseason
$Signed a one-year, $32 million contract with the Tigers in February of 2026.
Returning to Tigers after WBC start
PDetroit Tigers
March 9, 2026
Skubal said Monday that he will return to Tigers camp rather than make another start for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis
Skubal permitted one run over three innings against Team Great Britain on Saturday. He was mulling whether to remain with Team USA to make another start, but Skubal will instead rejoin the Tigers after the lone WBC outing, which was his original intention. Skubal threw 41 pitches in his start for Team USA and will continue to build his stamina with the Tigers before taking the ball for them Opening Day on March 26 versus the Padres.
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Pitching Stats
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2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
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Pitching Appearances Breakdown
Average Pitch Count
91
Last 10 Games
92
Last 5 Games
100
How many pitches does Tarik Skubal generally throw?
 
1-10
 
11-20
 
21-30
 
31-40
 
41-50
 
51-60
 
61-70
 
71-80
 
81-90
 
91-100
 
101-110
 
111-120
 
121+
 
1-10
 
11-20
 
21-30
 
31-40
 
41-50
 
51-60
 
61-70
 
71-80
 
81-90
 
91-100
 
101-110
 
111-120
 
121+
 
1-10
 
11-20
 
21-30
 
31-40
 
41-50
 
51-60
 
61-70
 
71-80
 
81-90
 
91-100
 
101-110
 
111-120
 
121+
What part of the game does Tarik Skubal generally pitch?
 
 
 
1st
 
 
 
2nd
 
 
 
3rd
 
 
 
4th
 
 
 
5th
 
 
 
6th
 
 
 
7th
 
 
 
8th
 
 
 
9th
 
Extra
 
 
 
1st
 
 
 
2nd
 
 
 
3rd
 
 
 
4th
 
 
 
5th
 
 
 
6th
 
 
 
7th
 
 
 
8th
 
 
 
9th
 
Extra
 
 
 
1st
 
 
 
2nd
 
 
 
3rd
 
 
 
4th
 
 
 
5th
 
 
 
6th
 
 
 
7th
 
 
 
8th
 
 
 
9th
 
Extra
% Games Reaching Innings Threshold
% Games By Number of Innings Pitched
Left/Right Pitching Splits
Since 2023
 
 
-5%
BAA vs LHP
2025
 
 
-8%
BAA vs RHP
2024
 
 
-9%
BAA vs LHP
2023
 
 
-40%
BAA vs LHP
BAA Batters K BB H 2B 3B HR
Since 2023vs Left .191 313 82 9 57 7 1 3
Since 2023vs Right .202 1498 489 73 284 54 8 34
2025vs Left .214 149 45 2 31 5 0 1
2025vs Right .196 599 196 31 110 21 2 17
2024vs Left .186 122 33 5 21 2 1 1
2024vs Right .204 631 195 30 121 22 3 14
2023vs Left .125 42 4 2 5 0 0 1
2023vs Right .210 268 98 12 53 11 3 3
More Splits View More Split Stats
Home/Away Pitching Splits
Since 2023
 
 
-32%
ERA at Home
2025
 
 
-7%
ERA at Home
2024
 
 
-30%
ERA at Home
2023
 
 
-67%
ERA at Home
ERA WHIP IP W L SV K/9 BB/9 HR/9
Since 2023Home 1.95 0.86 244.2 22 3 0 11.4 1.8 0.6
Since 2023Away 2.87 0.96 223.0 16 10 0 10.6 1.3 0.8
2025Home 2.13 0.92 101.1 9 1 0 11.8 1.7 0.6
2025Away 2.30 0.86 94.0 4 5 0 10.3 1.3 1.1
2024Home 1.99 0.83 104.0 10 1 0 10.1 2.0 0.6
2024Away 2.86 1.03 88.0 8 3 0 11.4 1.2 0.8
2023Home 1.37 0.79 39.1 3 1 0 13.5 1.6 0.5
2023Away 4.17 1.00 41.0 4 2 0 9.4 1.5 0.4
More Splits View More Split Stats
Stat Review
How does Tarik Skubal compare to other starting pitchers?
This section compares his stats with all starting pitcher seasons from the previous three seasons (minimum 120 innings)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.

* Exit Velocity, Barrels/BBE %, Balls Hit 95+ MPH %, and Spin Rate are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 120 IP). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
  • K/BB
    Strikeout to walk ratio.
  • K/9
    Average strikeouts per nine innings.
  • BB/9
    Average walks per nine innings.
  • HR/9
    Average home runs allowed per nine innings.
  • Fastball
    Average fastball velocity.
  • ERA
    Earned run average. The average earned runs allowed per nine innings.
  • WHIP
    Walks plus hits per inning pitched.
  • BABIP
    Batting average on balls in play. Measures how many balls in play against a pitcher go for hits.
  • GB/FB
    Groundball to flyball ratio. The higher the number, the more likely a pitcher is to induce groundballs.
  • Left On Base
    The percentage of base runners that a pitcher strands on base over the course of a season.
  • Exit Velocity
    The speed of the baseball as it comes off the bat, immediately after a batter makes contact.
  • Barrels/BBE
    The percentage of batted ball events resulting in a Barrel. A Barrel is a batted ball with similar exit velocity and launch angle to past ones that led to a minimum .500 batting average and 1.500 slugging percentage.
  • Spin Rate
    Spin Rate is the rate of spin on a baseball after it is released. It is measured in revolutions per minute (rpm).
  • Balls Hit 95+ MPH
    The percentage of batted balls hit that met or exceeded the 95 MPH threshold.
  • Swinging Strike
    The percentage of pitches that result in a swing and a miss.
K/BB
7.30
 
K/9
11.1
 
BB/9
1.5
 
HR/9
0.8
 
Fastball
98.6 mph
 
ERA
2.21
 
WHIP
0.89
 
BABIP
.284
 
GB/FB
1.17
 
Left On Base
80.0%
 
Exit Velocity
80.2 mph
 
Barrels/BBE
3.8%
 
Spin Rate
2170 rpm
 
Balls Hit 95+ MPH
19.3%
 
Swinging Strike
17.2%
 
Prospect Rankings History
Advanced Pitching Stats
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Defensive Stats
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Stats Vs Today's Lineup
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
Skubal performed at a Cy Young level over 80.1 innings in 2023 following his return from flexor tendon surgery, but many questioned how many innings he would be able to handle in 2024. The southpaw ended up running away with the AL Cy Young Award, shattering all expectations and leading Detroit to its first postseason appearance in a decade. He totaled 192 innings during the regular season -- 42.2 more than his previous career high in 2021 -- and added 19 stellar frames in the playoffs (2.37 ERA, 20:2 K:BB). A power lefty, Skubal can pull the string on a changeup that dances in unexpected ways thanks to a phenomenon now known as seam-shifted wake. He also has a slider to help against same-handed hitters, who combined to slash just .186/.238/.248 against Skubal last season. The Tigers basically took him off the table in discussions at the trade deadline and were justified in doing so, as Skubal is already an ace with the potential to be one of the best starting pitchers in baseball for years to come. If there's anything to nitpick, it might be the modest overall chase rate (77th percentile), but keep in mind his low-whiff sinking fastball is a highly effective offering.
Skubal underwent left flexor tendon surgery in August of 2022 and his rehab extended through the first three months of last season. He was on a limited pitch count initially upon his return and there were some bumps in the road early, but Skubal eventually rounded into form, going 4-1 with a 1.25 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 52:6 K:BB in his final six starts (36 innings). A ninth-round pick in 2018, Skubal changed up his formula last season, dialing back his slider usage significantly for more four-seam fastballs and changeups. The changeup proved to be a big swing-and-miss pitch for him (50.6 Whiff% per Statcast) -- he still threw his slider, but the changeup became his primary secondary pitch behind the four-seamer. In total, the southpaw pitched just 95 innings last season, but if healthy, he should approach his career high of 149.1 innings set in 2021. Entering his age-27 season, Skubal will face an uphill battle every time he takes the ball for Detroit, but his skills are enticing.
Skubal appeared to be in the middle of a breakout campaign in 2022, but the lefty was unfortunately shut down in early August with left arm fatigue, and he subsequently underwent flexor tendon surgery. Before getting shut down, Skubal had posted a 3.52 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 117 strikeouts across 117.2 innings. His K/9 dipped from 9.88 in 2021 to 8.95 in 2022, but his numbers were otherwise better across the board, including an impressive 2.95 FIP. Skubal will only be 24 years old when the 2023 season begins, so there's still plenty of potential here down the road, but he's expected to begin the year on the injured list and miss a decent chunk of time. Fantasy managers in standard leagues will want to keep an eye on Skubal, and he could be a decent pickup when he returns, though the Tigers will undoubtedly be cautious with him. He does have more value in keeper and dynasty formats, where his outlook beyond 2023 looks brighter.
To say Skubal's 4.34 ERA and 1.26 WHIP were league average is burying the lede. He posted those ratios despite a 5.5% home run rate, second to only Mike Foltynewicz among starting pitchers. Skubal kept his ratios in check with a 25.9 K% and 7.4 BB%. His 18.5 K-BB% was an impressive 27th among pitchers with at least 140 innings. Skubal's four-seamer was responsible for 22 of his 35 homers. Better location or even cutting back on its 43% usage rate could help Skubal keep the ball in the yard. The changeup was Skubal's most effective pitch with an 18.8 SwStr%, followed by his slider at 15%. Skubal's potential and likely presence on so-called sleeper lists will drive up the price for his sophomore campaign, potential wiping out profit. On the other hand, there are pathways to fewer homers, with that road potentially leading to elite status.
Skubal had an uneven rookie season, but he emerged healthy and should have a rotation spot locked up for the foreseeable future. The 6-foot-3 southpaw's 94-mph fourseamer can touch 98 mph and plays up even more due to deception and extension. The rest of Skubal's repertoire is a work in progress, but a big lefty with a fastball that plays as a 70-grade pitch is a nice place to start. He has always been a flyball pitcher, and he gave up more home runs (nine) in 32 MLB innings than he did in 145 minor-league innings (seven). His 8.2 BB% was an improvement on the 10.6 BB% he logged at Double-A in 2019. Skubal didn't need to consistently execute his offspeed pitches to have success in the minors, and he should get more comfortable with those pitches going forward. If a couple of them can emerge as trustworthy offerings, he should be an effective high-strikeout starter who is susceptible to the long ball.
Skubal would be one of the game's best pitching prospects if we just scouted stats. Poor control caused him to fall in the 2018 draft as a redshirt junior out of Seattle University. He has always missed bats at an elite clip and logged 179 strikeouts in 122.2 innings in his first full season. He does it with a low-to-mid-90s fastball (touches 98) with late life that plays up due to a deceptive left-handed delivery. He doesn't consistently hit his spots, but Skubal's heater can be an unfair pitch regardless of where it is thrown (think Josh Hader), especially for minor leaguers. His middling secondaries play up as well because hitters are forced to gear up for the fastball. Sometimes he will break off a quality curveball or changeup, but they are inconsistent offerings. His injury history, command and secondaries point to a lights-out reliever role, but the Tigers will do their best to make him a starter.
More Fantasy News
May extend WBC run
PDetroit Tigers
March 8, 2026
Skubal, who made his World Baseball Classic debut in the United States' victory over Great Britain on Saturday, may end up pitching for the team again after previously planning to make only one appearance, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis
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Set for WBC start Saturday
PDetroit Tigers
March 3, 2026
Skubal is set to start for the United States against Great Britain on Saturday in the World Baseball Classic, which will be his only start in the tournament, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.
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Sharp in spring debut
PDetroit Tigers
February 23, 2026
Skubal allowed two hits across two scoreless innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins. He struck out four.
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Draws Opening Day nod
PDetroit Tigers
February 11, 2026
Manager A.J. Hinch announced Wednesday that Skubal will draw the starting nod for the Tigers' Opening Day game March 26 versus the Padres in San Diego, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis
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Wins arbitration case
PDetroit Tigers
February 5, 2026
Skubal will make $32 million in 2026 after winning his arbitration hearing with the Tigers on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Extension chances reducing
PDetroit Tigers
March 7, 2026
The Tigers didn't offer Skubal a long-term contract in the offseason, so the chances of both parties reaching an extension are reducing by the day, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports.
Analysis
It was Skubal who told Nightengale about the lack of talks with the Tigers regarding an extension. "There is no offer" from the team right now, Skubal said, and "there won't be an offer until the end of the season....My focus is on playing baseball and winning this year. I'll deal with the contract stuff at the end of the year, and then we'll kind of see. And that's fine. It's their decision." If he hits the open market next winter after another elite season, Skubal could become the first pitcher in baseball history to command a contract worth more than $500 million in present value.
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