Tarik Skubal's climb to AL Cy Young Award a testament of perseverance and his own magic

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Tarik Skubal's climb to AL Cy Young Award a testament of perseverance and his own magic

Jeff Seidel, Detroit Free Press · Detroit Free Press

Thu, Nov 21, 2024 ·

9 min read

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Back in 2020, a few weeks before COVID-19 shut down the world, Russ Skubal was sitting in the stands in Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida, watching the Tigers play a spring training game. He said something about his son, Tarik, that explained everything.

"That kid came out of the womb competitive," Russ said. "His grandmother calls it the killer instinct."

That attitude is at the center of everything, and it's the central reason Skubal just won the 2024 American League Cy Young Award .

So, before you ponder one of the greatest seasons for a pitcher in Tigers history — Skubal becomes just the fifth Tiger to win a Cy Young , joining Denny McLain in 1968 and '69, Willie Hernandez in 1984, Justin Verlander in 2011 and Max Scherzer in 2013. "It's an honor just to have my name be spoken in the same sentence as those guys," Skubal said.

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Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) celebrates after a double play against Cleveland Guardians in the sixth inning of Game 2 of ALDS at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024.

Before you consider the amazing stats — 2.39 ERA, 0.922 WHIP, 18 wins, 228 strikeouts and just 35 walks in 192 innings as he won the pitching Triple Crown . ...

Before you talk about his perseverance — overcoming Tommy John surgery in college and flexor tendon surgery in 2022. ...

Before you marvel at his ability to fire strikes like a laser-guided missile. ...

You have to start with the core of his being: Skubal's obsession with winning, which started when he was growing up in a house with five boys.

"The boys were super, super competitive," Russ said. "I remember having to go outside and say, 'Boys, no broken bones today.' "

With all due respect to Atlanta 's Chris Sale , who won the NL Cy Young, Skubal was a no-brainer for this award. That's because Skubal is the baddest pitcher on the planet.

Skubal got the news Tuesday surrounded by more than 20 friends and family at the most unique birthday/Cy Young party you will ever see.

"It's pretty special," Skubal said on MLB Network. "All the hard work, all the stuff that goes on behind the scenes, moments like this make it extremely worth it.

"To have the support system that I have, and the people that are right behind me, it means a lot to have those guys in my corner."

More: Tarik Skubal is reason Detroit Tigers can beat Houston Astros

A story with all kinds of slices

To prepare for this Cy Young announcement, I went back and read everything that I've written about Skubal since the Tigers drafted him in the ninth round in 2018.

And it kinda blew me away.

Because it put everything into perspective. His journey has been remarkable.

But several tiny moments seem even bigger now in retrospect. And it's simply incredible how many people have been involved in it.

Skubal has become an elite pitcher, climbing to the top of his profession, while rolling through different pitching coaches, different managers, even different general managers.

"I don't know if I'll ever be able to (put it into perspective)," Skubal said in a conference call Tuesday night. "It's unique to me, and I'm very grateful to have all the bumps in the road that I've had to get me to this moment today where I'm accepting an extremely prestigious award."

A PRESCIENT PICK: Meet Detroit Tigers lefty prospect Tarik Skubal, maybe the steal of 2018 draft

The steal of the 2019 draft

It was becoming clear that Skubal had the potential to be the steal of the 2018 draft — yes, it's obvious now.

But think back to May 2019: Skubal was pitching for High-A Lakeland and he was listed as the Tigers' No. 19 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.

"He can throw his curveball over the plate," Tigers roving pitching instructor A.J. Sager told me. "He has the fastball. He seems to be able to make adjustments during the game."

A.J. Sager? Wow, now that's a name from the past. And it goes to show how many coaches have touched this remarkable talent.

"He certainly has the weapons to be successful," Sager said. "Now, we have to keep him healthy, keep him working and let him develop."

Feb. 2, 2020: Early look at greatness

For years, the Tigers kicked off their spring training with a game against Southeastern University, a private school in Lakeland. In 2020, then-Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire selected Skubal to start that game. Skubal faced six batters, struck out five and Gardenhire looked over at Tigers general manager Al Avila, who was sitting behind home plate.

Gardenhire pointed playfully at his chest, as if to say: "I want him. Let me have him in Detroit!"

But Avila waved his hands: Not yet.

"I guess I won't win that one right away," Gardenhire said.

Then, COVID-19 shut down everything.

August 2020: 'Throwing the fire' out of the ball

COVID-19 messed up the entire season and actually held back Skubal.

About a week before Skubal was going to begin training camp at Comerica Park, he came down with COVID-19. On his fourth day, his fever spiked to 103.7 degrees, and it knocked him out for about a month.

But he finally started throwing and started impressing.

"The reports I've heard from (Jim) Leyland and (Alan) Trammell is, he's throwing the living fire out of the ball and feeling good," Gardenhire said.

Throwing the "living fire" out of the baseball? Hmm, guess things haven't changed much.

He's just learned how to corral it.

Aug.18, 2020: A lesson from a debut

Skubal made his debut against the Chicago White Sox , pitching on the road in an empty stadium because of the coronavirus pandemic.

He lasted two innings, giving up four runs off seven hits. "You learn a lot about yourself and you know how you're competing and how the adrenaline flows a little bit differently," Skubal said.

Actually, we learned something important about him in that game.

With guys on first and third and one out, Skubal got out of the jam, inducing James McCann , the former Tigers catcher, to fly out.

"He could have let that really spiral," Tigers catcher Austin Romine said. "And he didn't. I think that speaks volumes to where his mental state is and how he approaches the game."

It was a reflection of his ability to handle pressure. Handle the big moment. And rely on his stuff.

Which has a straight line to this Cy Young.

February 2021: Trusting the process

After A.J. Hinch was hired as the Tiger' new manager, he hired Chris Fetter as his pitching coach. (Brilliant move, by the way.)

They got their first eyes on Skubal when he threw a bullpen along with Matt Manning.

"I let them know you're not going to make the team today but what you do today is going to build towards making the team," Hinch said.

That's also part of how Skubal has developed so far.

It has been part of a slow process, tweaking mechanics, tweaking pitch shapes.

Following a process. Pumping him with confidence — another straight line to this Cy Young.

"I think the confidence that our coaching staff instilled in me in '21 when times weren't this great," Skubal said. "I wasn't getting a Cy Young Award in '21 and obviously didn't deserve it, but the confidence that they instilled in me in '21 was the same confidence they instilled in me this year.

"So, there's a lot of credit to those people and I'm very thankful for that. It's a coaching staff that is second to none."

June 2023: One more obstacle

After an elbow injury ended his 2022 season, Skubal went through surgery and countless hours of physical therapy.

He had a rehab start in Columbus, Ohio — and I went to report on it.

More: Detroit Tigers' Tarik Skubal seems completely ready to return. How soon will that happen?

"It was good even though I was, you know, kind of grinding out there," Skubal told me. "It's good to see the velocity not dip down, even though you may be a little bit more fatigued. So, it's a good sign for sure."

Think about that — that was just 1½ years ago.

At that moment, there was no certainty how he would come back. No certainty he would stay healthy for more than 150 innings. No certainty he would hold up.

Feb. 15, 2024: Forget everything, just pitch

Skubal threw his first bullpen of this magical season.

"I think the shapes are there, but it's pretty much compete mode," Skubal said. "No more tinkering with things. It's about getting outs and throwing strikes, so that's where I'm at."

Yes, that's the essence of this season.

Don't worry about anything. Just compete. Just win.

His consistency and pure domination became the central cog in "pitching chaos," allowing Hinch to use his bullpen as starters.

Pushing the Tigers to the playoffs.

Celebrating greatness

And look where we are now?

When you sit back and think about it, it's an absolutely amazing story.

The Cy Young is a testament to his perseverance, overcoming injuries.

It's a testament to the Tigers' ability to develop him through the minor leagues, taking a ninth-round pick and helping him develop into a great.

It's a testament to the Tigers' pitching department and coaches.

It's a testament to batterymate Jake Rogers , who caught every inning.

"There's gonna be something nice that's sitting on his wrist next year," Skubal said about Rogers. "I can't say enough good things about that guy. You know, as good as he is a player. He's a better man off the field and as a friend."

But more than anything, it's a testament to Skubal, this kid who "came out of the womb" as a fierce competitor.

Now, that kid — on his 28th birthday, no less — has a Cy Young Award.

I mean, his first one.

C ontact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com . Follow him on X @seideljeff . To read his recent columns, go to freep.com/sports/jeff-seidel .

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers Tarik Skubal proves he was steal by winning Cy Young

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