DETROIT — After a breakout start to the season that had many fans and analysts pegging him as a potential long-term rotation piece, Tigers left-hander Brant Hurter is now facing his first real test of adversity at the major league level. Over his last few starts, the 25-year-old has hit a rough patch, and the club is hoping it’s just a blip—not a full-blown regression.
Hurter, who posted a 2.91 ERA over his first seven appearances, has seen that number balloon to 4.76 in recent weeks, thanks in large part to command issues and trouble finishing off hitters deep in counts. Opponents are batting over .300 against him this month, a far cry from the .205 mark he held earlier in the year.
“I’m not pressing the panic button,” Hurter told reporters after his latest outing. “This game is full of ups and downs. I’m working every day to make the adjustments. The stuff is still there—it’s about execution.”
Detroit manager A.J. Hinch echoed that sentiment, but acknowledged the urgency to right the ship. “Brant’s got the talent. We know what he’s capable of. Now it’s about him navigating the league adjusting to him, which is part of every young pitcher’s journey,” Hinch said.
Scouting reports suggest Hurter’s fastball command has dipped slightly, and hitters are beginning to sit on his offspeed offerings earlier in counts. While his strikeout numbers remain respectable, the quality of contact against him has risen sharply—evidenced by a recent spike in home runs allowed and hard-hit rate.
Still, the Tigers remain confident in the lefty’s long-term outlook. With Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal anchoring the top of the rotation, Hurter doesn’t need to be an ace—but the team is counting on him to provide consistent depth as they push toward what could be their first postseason berth since 2014.
For now, Hurter is focused on staying composed and trusting the process. “This is where you learn,” he said. “It’s not just about being good when things are going your way—it’s about staying level when they’re not. I’m up for the challenge.”
As the second half looms, all eyes will be on whether Hurter can regain the poise and precision that made him such a promising piece of Detroit’s future.
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