BREAKING: With Tarik Skubal removed from the race, Tigers face shocking dilemma choosing unexpected Cy Young hopeful rising from rotation chaos
The Detroit Tigers have built much of their recent identity around Tarik Skubal’s rise to stardom. His electric fastball, late-inning dominance and steady maturity have made him the centerpiece of the rotation. But if, for any reason, the Tigers were suddenly forced to consider a Cy Young-level choice without Skubal in the picture, the internal discussion would instantly become far more complicated — and far more revealing about the state of their pitching staff.
The question isn’t just hypothetical. It’s a mirror held up to Detroit’s long-term structure, exposing strengths, weaknesses, and the intriguing flashes of talent lurking beneath the surface. Without Skubal, the Tigers’ rotation becomes a puzzle missing its cornerstone.
So who fills the Cy Young void?
The first name that emerges is Casey Mize, the former No. 1 overall pick whose story has been a mix of promise, setbacks and slow-burning development. When healthy, Mize flashes elite command, a splitter with heavy late drop and a cerebral approach that suggests top-of-the-rotation potential. The problem has always been availability. Yet insiders still believe he has the highest upside of the remaining starters. If he were to put together a fully healthy season, he could become the Tigers’ most complete pitcher not named Skubal.
Right behind him is Reese Olson, one of the quiet breakout candidates of the past year. Olson’s slider plays like a wrecking ball, his strikeout rate continues to climb, and his poise on the mound has impressed coaches and scouts alike. Among young pitchers in the league, he might have one of the most underrated arsenals. Some analysts whisper he may be closer to Cy Young material than people realize — not because of pure velocity, but because of his ability to miss bats consistently and limit damage across long outings.
Another intriguing option is Jack Flaherty, the veteran who arrived with questions but has shown glimpses of his former Cardinals form. If he can recapture even 80 percent of his peak, he instantly becomes Detroit’s most battle-tested arm. Consistency is his biggest hurdle, but experience and competitive fire give him something the younger arms don’t have: a proven record under pressure.
And then there is the wild card: Matt Manning. His development has been uneven, but when he’s right, his mix of size, angle and fastball life can overwhelm hitters. Some inside the organization believe he’s only one adjustment away — a reliable secondary pitch — from becoming a front-line threat. Whether he can make that leap remains one of Detroit’s biggest mysteries.
Taken together, the Tigers’ rotation without Skubal becomes a fascinating blend of potential and unpredictability. There is no clear Cy Young favorite, but there are multiple possible breakout candidates. The challenge is that each comes with a caveat: health, consistency, experience or refinement.
For Detroit, this conversation underscores their long-term goals. The organization can’t rely on one ace alone. They need depth, growth and internal competition. Skubal may be the anchor, but the Tigers’ rise will depend on which of these arms steps into the spotlight next.
If one of them does, the Tigers suddenly become far more dangerous than projections suggest.
And if none emerge?
Then Detroit’s dependence on Skubal becomes even more apparent — a truth that could shape the team’s offseason strategies for years to come.
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