Detroit Tigers: Drew Smyly to Make MLB Debut on Thursday

After an eye-opening spring training—and thanks to Jacob Turner’s lingering shoulder tightness—Drew Smyly was named as the Tigers' fifth starter headed into the season.  Despite having never thrown a pitch above Double-A, the 22-year-old left-hander—the Tigers’ No. 3 prospect—will take mound for the first time on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Drafted in the second round of the 2010 draft out of Arkansas, the 6'3", 190-pound left-hander was dominant in his first minor league season in 2011. Splitting time between High-A Lakeland and Double-A Erie, Smyly posted an 11-6 record with a 2.07 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 130/36 K/BB over 126 innings.

As he demonstrated during his time at Arkansas, Smyly is adept to attacking hitters with his 87-92 mph two-seam fastball with arm-side run, which aids the effectiveness of his other offerings.

The left-hander features two breaking balls—a curveball and slider—that have been equally effective at times and offer a different look as he works deeper into the game. Smyly also throws a hard, mid-80s cutter that neutralizes right-handed hitters.

Following spring training, the Tigers sent Smyly to Triple-A for a tune-up prior to making his big-league debut.  Facing Indianapolis (Pirates) on April 7, the southpaw was a bit shaky, allowing three runs on three hits over an inning and a third.  Of the 10 batters he faced, Smyly walked two and recorded only one strikeout.

Smyly will take the mound at 1:05 PM ET on Thursday afternoon in Detroit as the Tigers look to take two of three games from the visiting Rays.