Brayan Villarreal

Villarreal became an integral part of the Tigers’ bullpen in 2012, making 50 appearances while posting a 2.63 ERA and 66:28 K:BB in 54.2 innings of middle relief. The converted starter made significant strides in his second season at the major league level, upping his K/9 up to 10.9 while shedding more than one walk off his BB/9 – although, he still gave up 4.6 BB/9. The 25-year-old righty was effective by mixing in a high-90s fastball that averaged 97.1 mph on the radar gun and an above-average slider. His solid two-pitch repertoire make him a much better fit out of the bullpen rather than the starting gig he used to hold in the minors. Villarreal will work in the middle innings once again for the Tigers in 2013.

Villarreal was a surprise addition to the Tigers’ Opening Day roster in 2011. The 24-year-old stuck around for the first couple months of the season, but he was sent to Triple-A Toledo after posting a 6.75 ERA and 14:10 K:BB ratio in 16 relief appearances with the Tigers. He was switched back to a starter following his demotion, finishing his Triple-A campaign with a 3-5 record, 5.05 ERA and 40:29 K:BB ratio in 66 innings. Villarreal has a fastball that hovers in the 90-94 range and an above-average slider, but he doesn’t have a strong enough third pitch to be considered a strong rotation option. He profiles as a decent middle-relief option but will need to refine his control before getting another chance with Detroit.