The Detroit News' 2018 Detroit Tigers final grades

PITCHERS: STARTERS (W-L, ERA, WHIP): Matthew Boyd (9-13, 4.39, 1.16): It was a come-of-age season for Boyd. Career-bests in: starts (31), innings (170.1), strikeouts (159), WHIP (1.1), team wins (16), quality starts (14), WARP (2.1), opponents’ average (.228), on-base (.249) and slugging (.410). If they gave out awards for most improved pitch, Boyd’s slider would be in the conversation. Opponents hit .176 off his slider this year, after beating on it at a .371 clip in 2017. The Tigers likely will get trade offers on him this offseason. Mid-term grade: B Second-half grade: B Final grade: B

Michael Fulmer (3-12, 4.69, 1.31): A nerve issue in his elbow ended his 2017 and set him back at the start of this season. He strained an oblique coming out of the All-Star break and then had his season cut short in early September when he tore his meniscus. And in between all of that was the real angst. He battled his mechanics and himself in most of his 24 starts. The good news is that he had no issues with his arm and his velocity was still upper-90s, but the former AL Rookie of the Year will need to re-establish himself next spring. Mid-term grade: C Second-half grade: D Final grade: D-plus

Francisco Liriano (5-12, 4.58, 1.50): Between a lingering hamstring injury and recurring back stiffness, Liriano did well to make 26 starts. But there was no consistency. You never knew what you would get from start to start. The arm strength is still sound. He can still post 93 mph when he needs it. His change-up and slider are plus-pitches, as well, when – the caveat – he can throw them for strikes. He will be a free agent this offseason and by all accounts, his value will be more as a bullpen arm than a starter. Mid-term grade: B-minus Second-half grade: D-plus Final grade: C-minus

Daniel Norris (0-5, 5.68, 1.47): That he was able to come back and make six starts in September, after missing four months recovering from groin surgery, was remarkable. That he was able to make steady improvement with each start put him back into the Tigers’ plans for next season. His arm strength wasn’t fully built back up and his velocity was in the low-90s. But there was life and late finish on his pitches, and his mechanics were fluid again. He will pitch in the Dominican Winter League and on an MLB All-Star team touring Japan to make up for his lost innings. Interesting to see if his velocity kicks back up to the mid-90s next spring. Mid-term grade: Inc. Second-half grade: C Final grade: C

Jordan Zimmermann (7-8, 4.52, 1.26): He pitched stubbornly at times, thinking he could still overpower hitters with his four-seam fastball, which rings the radar gun at 90-91 mph now, and not 93-94. The slider, which always was his money pitch, came and went. His curveball, a pitch he barely needed back in his All-Star days, saved him at times. He said he is on a mission this offseason to develop a slower change-up, which at this point in his career, is mandatory. Mid-term grade: C-plus Second-half grade: C-minus Final grade: C

RELIEVERS: Victor Alcantara (1-1, 2.40, 1.03): He was a “something’s-better-than-nothing” return for Cameron Maybin in the winter of 2016. Turns out, the Tigers found a very useful, hard-throwing reliever. He allowed runs in just four of his 27 appearances, and four the eight runs he allowed came in one bad outing. The movement on his two-seam fastball is dynamic, and if he can keep it in the strike zone, he will be a fixture in this bullpen. Mid-Term grade: N/A Second-half grade: B Final grade: B

Louis Coleman (4-1. 3.51, 1.31): He was a useful change-of-pace reliever for the Tigers. His three-quarter delivery and array of off-speed and breaking balls gave opponents a different look. He allowed runs in just six of 26 outings after the All-Star break, holding hitters to a .205 average. He walked 10 in that span, which is what typically got him into trouble. Mid-term grade: B Second-half grade: C Final grade: C-plus

Buck Farmer (3-4, 4.15, 1.56): Nearly a third of the runs he allowed came in a six-game stretch at the end of May. After that, he was as steady as the Tigers had, although he was not asked to pitch much in high-leverage situations. Still, he went unscored upon in September (nine outings, 10.1 innings, .189 OBA). His change-up, when he commands it, is lethal (.176). But to earn a meatier role, he needs to improve his slider. Right-handed hitters are way too comfortable against him (hitting .320 overall and .308 against his slider) Mid-term grade: C-minus Second-half grade: B Final grade: C

Shane Greene (4-6, 5.12, 1.37): His status as the team’s closer might be in jeopardy. Although he saved 32 games this season, he also blew six saves and had six losses. Over his last 13 appearances, he had three blown saves, allowing 14 runs (five home runs) in 11 innings. He gave up 12 home runs this season, doubling his total from last year. His velocity and command were inconsistent throughout the season. He repeatedly said there were no physical issues, but something was amiss. Mid-term grade: C Second-half grade: D Final grade: C-minus

Blaine Hardy (4-5, 3.56 1.17): He’s made himself a valuable versatile asset and it’s hard to imagine the Tigers won’t sign him back for 2019. After working his way off the scrap heap (he went unclaimed after being waived), he made 13 mostly solid starts. Then he went uncomplainingly back to the bullpen and allowed just two runs in 18.1 innings with 19 strikeouts. He can be effective as a starter, long reliever and situational lefty. The concern continues to be his elbow, which put him on the shelf toward the end of the season. Mid-term grade: B Second-half grade: B Final grade: B

Joe Jimenez (5-4, 4.31, 1.20): After an All-Star first half, Jimenez was hit hard in August (12 runs in 8.2 innings, three homers). Impressively, though, he bounced back strong, allowing just two runs in 7.2 innings in September. This was his first full season in the big leagues, and he’s had to learn on the fly how to maintain his conditioning through the full six months. He will be better for what he went through in August and might be given a chance to win the closer role next year. Mid-term grade: B Second-half grade: C Final grade: B-minus

Daniel Stumpf (1-5, 4.93, 1.57): Stumpf struggled so profoundly through June and July, he was sent back to Triple A. But whatever was broken, he fixed. Until Christian Yelich homered off him in his last pitch of the season, he had tossed 12.1 scoreless innings, holding hitters to a .174 average, in 15 games since he was brought back. With better mechanics, his fastball was hitting 95 mph regularly down the stretch. Mid-term grade: D Second-half grade: C-plus Final grade: C

Drew VerHagen (3-3, 4.63, 1.15): On June 19 he lost a throw in the lights in Cincinnati and it broke his nose. At that point, he’d already been DFA’d, outrighted to Toledo and re-purchased by the Tigers. His ERA at that point was over 9, and opponents were hitting .287 and slugging .507. He came back on July 9 a different pitcher. In his final 37 innings over 27 outings, he allowed 10 runs, dropping his ERA under 5 and opponent hit .191 and slugged .272. This is one of the big success stories of 2018. Mid-term grade: D Second-half grade: B-plus Final Grade: B-minus

Alex Wilson (2-4, 3.36, 1.05): He endured a hard-luck start to the season, and a bout with plantar fasciitis, but by the end of the season he was as dependable as any reliever in the bullpen. He gave up runs in three straight outings in mid-August, but in his final 14 games, allowed just one run, holding hitters to a .163 average and .182 on-base percentage, with 11 strikeouts. He’s also one of the veteran leaders, not only in the bullpen, but in the clubhouse. It would be a shock if the Tigers’ didn’t tender him for 2019. Mid-term grade: C-plus Second-half grade: B-plus Final grade: B

POSITION PLAYERS (batting average/on-base percentage/slugging percentage): CATCHERS: Grayson Greiner (.219/.328/.281): The Tigers were generally pleased with Greiner’s work behind the plate this season. He was a quick study with the pitching staff, and got high praise for his ability to adjust the game plan on the fly within games. He didn’t hit much, but he had a .355 on-base percentage after the All-Star break, drawing 12 walks. Mid-term grade: Inc. Second-half grade: C Final grade: C

James McCann (.220/.267/.314): His launch angle got bigger and his offensive production plummeted – cause and effect. That can be adjusted, and he began the process in September and started making better contact (7 for 23 in the final six games). He threw out 27 runners, second most in the American League, but his overall defensive play took a small step back this season, too. Manager Ron Gardenhire hinted that he played through a lot of nagging injuries this season, which might have been a factor. Mid-term grade: D-plus Second-half grade: D Final grade: D

INFIELDERS: Jim Adduci (.267/.290/.386), first base: With Miguel Cabrera expected to be manning first base next season, Adduci likely will be back at Toledo, or with another organization. But he filled in like the pro that he is. Getting extended play at first base for the first time in his career (he’s an outfielder by trade), there were some rough moments. Although his power numbers fell short of his capabilities, he was hitting .299 in early September before fading down the stretch (.184 in his final 12 games). Mid-Term grade: Inc. Second-half grade: C Final grade: C

Jose Iglesias (.269/.310/.389), shortstop: A free agent this winter, his days as the Tigers shortstop appear to be over. His season ended early with an abdominal strain. Although he generated no trade interest at the deadline, he had a solid year. He played his usual superb to spectacular defense and once he went on the disabled list, the Tigers infield defense fell apart. Offensively, after a 2-for-35 start, he hit .287/.323/.416 with a .739 OPS. Mid-term grade: B Second-half grade: C Final grade: C-plus

Jeimer Candelario (.224/.317/.393), third base: His 19 home runs and 54 RBIs were second on the team and that was encouraging for his first full season. But, whether it was a byproduct of a left-wrist injury earlier in the season or general fatigue after career-high 144 games and 619 plate appearances, he had his struggles at the plate. His 160 strikeouts are 10th most in the American League. He hit .201 after June 1. His defense, too, got more sloppy and inconsistent as the season wore on. Mid-term grade: C Second-half grade: D Final grade: D-plus

Niko Goodrum (.245/.315/.432), utility: The Tigers found themselves a keeper here. He served as the regular second baseman for much of the year, but his future is likely as a utility player – playing almost every day but giving the Tigers some positional flexibility. That he hit 16 home runs (15 of them right-handed) was a pleasant surprise. Also impressive was his ability to fight through slumps. He followed a .171 June with a .286 July, and a .211 August with a .313 September. Mid-term grade: C-plus. Second-half grade: B-minus Final Grade: B-minus

Ronny Rodriguez (.220/.256/.335), utility: As much baseball as he’s played (eight seasons in the minors, seven winters in the Dominican), there were a lot of rough edges on his game. To his credit, he made adjustments both with his swing mechanics and in his attention detail on the field. He does have some pop in his bat, too. He hit 14 home runs between Toledo (nine) and Detroit (five). Mid-term grade: NA Second-half grade: C-minus Final grade: C-minus

OUTFIELDERS: Nick Castellanos (.298/.354/.500), right field: His best offensive year comes when he has negligible protection in the lineup and teams often were pitching around him. Impressive. Fifty-six multiple hit games, 46 doubles (fourth in the American League), 185 hits (third in the A.L.), 23 home runs – he was in the top 15 in eight offensive categories. He hit .282 off breaking balls, .290 off fastballs and .377 off off-speed pitches. His .381 average off lefties is the best in baseball. His offensive WAR is 4.7. His defensive WAR, though, is minus-2.4. He remains a work in progress defensively. Mid-term grade: B-plus. Second-half grade: B-plus. Final grade: B-plus

JaCoby Jones (.207/.266/.364), center field: He saved the Tigers 24 runs with his defense, per Baseball Reference. He is a Gold Glove-caliber center fielder. He’s also a dynamic and energizing base runner. If he ever figures out a way to put the bat on the ball more consistently, he’s going be an All-Star. He did make small gains in that regard – his 35 percent chase rate, 31 percent whiff rate and 27 percent strikeout rate are mild improvements from 2017. But still way too high. He also hit a career-best 11 home runs. Mid-term grade: C-plus Second-half grade: C-minus Final grade: C

Victor Reyes (.222/.239/.288): In the end, it was worth the Rule 5 gamble. He got his average up to .240 in September before finishing the year on an 0-for-16 slide. He showed he can play all three outfield positions, though he may still be too timid to play center full time. He was also one of the best base runners on the team. He’s a tireless worker – in the weight room and the batting cage. His body filled out and got stronger as the year went on. Mid-term grade: C-minus Second-half grade: C Final grade: C

Mikie Mahtook (.202/.276/.359): It took way longer than he wanted it to, but Mahtook straightened himself out. After getting called back up from Toledo on Aug. 13, he hit nine home runs and drove in 24 runs in 32 starts. He is a high-energy, high-character player who, on a contending team, would be a valuable fourth outfielder. But on a rebuilding team with a lot of younger outfielders, it is uncertain whether the Tigers will tender him a contract for 2019. Mid-term grade: D Second-half grade: C Final grade: D-plus.

DESIGNATED HITTER: Victor Martinez (.251/.297/.353): One of the highlights of the season was Martinez’s final ride. He got stirring and richly-deserved tributes in Cleveland, Minnesota and of course, a tear-filled day in Detroit on Sept. 22 when the final at-bat of his 16-year career was, ironically, an infield single into the shift. His behind-the-scenes leadership and mentoring was as valuable as anything he’s done on the field the last two years, for sure. He leaves the game with 2,153 hits, a .295 career average, 423 doubles, 246 home runs and 1,178 RBIs. He goes into the books as the most productive switch-hitter in Tigers history. Mid-term grade: C Second-half grade: B Final grade: C-plus

INJURED: Miguel Cabrera (pictured), Artie Lewicki, John Hicks.

MANAGER: Ron Gardenhire: He set a standard, a base level of expectation –play hard and compete for nine full innings. Start with that. Respect the game enough to play it fundamentally correct. And have fun. Setting the battle level and keeping things light and fun, despite the 98 losses, were his two biggest successes. With a hat-tip to quality control coach Joe Vavra and infield coach Ramon Santiago, the Tigers made good use of the beefed-up analytics department. They were third in baseball in defensive runs saved with the shift. Gardenhire and pitching coach Rick Anderson also, by the end of the season, had patched together a strong, albeit overworked, bullpen. Mid-term grade: B-plus Second-half grade: B-plus Final grade: B-plus

SEPTEMBER CALL-UPS (all grades incomplete): Sandy Baez, RHP: He started strong, but by the end teams started hitting him hard. He has a live arm, but he will need to sharpen his command. Would expect him to start the season in Triple A next year.

Harold Castro, utility: One of the great stories of the season. Eight years in the Tigers’ system, he got a very unexpected emergency call-up in late September and handled himself like a pro.

Matt Hall, LHP: He rose seemingly from nowhere this season, moving rapidly through Erie and Toledo. He was a reliever in Erie and a starter at Toledo. It is unclear where the Tigers will place him next spring.

Pete Kozma, shortstop: He is a text-book solid defensive shortstop. He was an excellent choice to serve as a veteran mentor at Toledo and, after Jose Iglesias was injured, solidified the Tigers’ infield in September.

Dawel Lugo, second base: The Tigers are hoping he can be the regular second baseman next season. His play in September showed why they’d have that hope, and also why it might be optimistic. This is an intriguingly talented player. He has strong, quick hands and the ball flies off his bat. But he is still very raw, especially defensively. Another half season in Toledo would not hurt him.

Zac Reininger, RHP: There are times when, with his mid-90s fastball and biting slider, he looks formidable. Then you look up and he’s allowed 18 runs in 21.1 innings. He’s still young (26 in January) and still growing into his 6-3 frame.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia, catcher: This will probably be his last go-around as a player. He is planning to transition into coaching.

Christin Stewart, left field: He was worth the wait. He showed a mature approach at the plate, not overwhelmed at all by big-league pitching. He showed patience, didn’t chase a lot of pitches, and a willingness to hit balls where they are pitched. He will come to camp in the spring as the Tigers’ starting left fielder.

Spencer Turnbull, RHP: He’s got a real chance to win a rotation spot for 2019. His stuff, mid-90s sinking fastball and two still-improving secondary pitches, plays. And he showed some mental toughness, too, pitching in pressure situations in Cleveland and Milwaukee.