Bruce

Rondon

No surprise here, as Rondon is one of the Tigers’ top pitching prospects and has been mentioned as a possibility for the closer role with the big club as soon as next season. The 21-year-old right-hander posted a 1.53 ERA and 66 strikeouts over 53 innings in the minors this season and possesses an excellent fastball.

Flamethrowing right-hander Bruce Rondon could get the first crack at the job. Rondon has yet to make his major league debut, but he’s coming off a terrific year in the minors, having put up a 1.53 ERA while striking out 66 over 53 frames. The Tigers also have Joaquin Benoit, Octavio Dotel and Phil Coke returning.

That’s what Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski told Lynn Henning of the Detroit News on Thursday morning. Rondon, 21, posted a stellar 1.53 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 66/26 K/BB ratio in 53 innings this past season between four different levels of the Tigers’ minor league system. He’s a major fantasy sleeper for 2013.

Interesting. Rondon, 21, posted a 1.53 ERA, 29 saves and 66/26 K/BB ratio over 53 innings this season between High-A Lakeland, Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo. The hard-throwing right-hander was nearly called up in September, but the Tigers ultimately decided otherwise. However, he could get thrown into the fire to begin 2013. The Tigers will let Jose Valverde walk as a free agent, so Rondon, Joaquin Benoit, Phil Coke and Octavio Dotel could be part of a closer-by-committee. We already like Rondon as a sleeper for AL-only leagues.

Rondon has an 0.82 ERA and 12/5 K/BB ratio over 11 innings since his demotion earlier this month, but Leyland wants to see more sustained success. “He’s doing a good job, but that’s the idea,” said Leyland. “Don’t get excited when they do a good job for three weeks or a month. Let him keep pitching.” The hard-throwing right-hander should get another chance in the Tigers’ bullpen later this summer.

“Joaquin Benoit physically, I don’t think he can do it,” Leyland said. “With all due respect to Benoit, he doesn’t bounce back.” Benoit fared well in 2011 when pitching with no rest, but he did struggle last season, posting a 4.50 ERA and 1.41 WHIP. Leyland admitted that he doesn’t “really know what I’m going to do” at closer, but it’s no secret that the Tigers hope Bruce Rondon runs away with the job. “We do have some others who can do the job if he needs a break, but to me, the leading candidate is Rondon,” general manager Dave Dombrowski said.

The Tigers have said that youngster Bruce Rondon will be given a shot to close next season, but it sounds like they’d at least like to bring in some competition for him. Olney didn’t mention specific players they’re going after, but it sounds like they might be setting their sights lower than someone like Joel Hanrahan.

Valverde would prefer to close, but he’s not going to get the opportunity with the Tigers, as hard-throwing rookie Bruce Rondon is expected to get a shot. Meanwhile, Phil Coke and Joaquin Benoit provide in-house alternatives if he stumbles.

Rookie fireballer Bruce Rondon will be given every chance to win the closer job during spring training, but Dombrowski is confident in the experience of Phil Coke, Joaquin Benoit and Octavio Dotel if the club has to go to a closer-by-committee approach. “We’re not anointing him that role,” Dombrowski said regarding Rondon. “We hope he wins the job in spring training. I think, in my opinion, he’ll handle it fine.”

The Pirates have been mentioned as a possible trade destination for Rick Porcello, but the Tigers appear content with fire-balling phenom Bruce Rondon at the back end of their bullpen. And apparently aren’t willing to do a straight-up swap of Hanrahan-for-Porcello.