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Yahoo
2 days ago
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Inside the rise of Tommy Kahnle, the Detroit Tigers reliever with an elite changeup
Sixty-one. That's how many consecutive changeups right-handed reliever Tommy Kahnle threw during the New York Yankees' 2024 postseason run — a streak that began in Game 2 of the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians and ended in Game 3 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Advertisement "I wasn't really sure what the number was," Kahnle said, reflecting on his 61 changeups in a row, "but in the back of my head, I'm like, 'I have not thrown a fastball in a long time.' It was working." The Detroit Tigers signed Kahnle to a one-year, $7.75 million contract and have wasted no time calling on their new high-leverage reliever in some of the most important moments this season, including save situations in the ninth inning. The 11-year MLB veteran has racked up eight saves in 28 games for the Tigers in the 2025 season, following a total of just eight saves in 390 games in his first 10 seasons. Get a grip on a great Father's Day gift: Our new Tigers book! He is throwing his changeup a career-high 84% of the time. Advertisement "Speaking of unicorns, it's a pitch where everyone in baseball knows how he pitches," manager A.J. Hinch said, "and yet he finds a way to get soft contact and miss bats and continue to pound the zone. Fun player because he can be utilized at any point of the game, and he doesn't change." MILESTONE: Tigers' Tommy Kahnle reflects on 10 years of MLB service time: 'It's an honor' Detroit Tigers pitcher Tommy Kahnle (43) throws against New York Yankees during the ninth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, April 7, 2025. Kahnle is a changeup artist. But the 35-year-old wouldn't be who he is without a lesson from pitching coach Carlos Chantres more than 13 years ago. A career-changing adjustment occurred in 2011, when Kahnle pitched for the Charleston RiverDogs, the Low-A affiliate of the Yankees. Advertisement He didn't make his MLB debut until 2014. "It's been a while," Chantres said. "Back then, we didn't have all the technology we have now," Chantres continued. "It was old-school baseball — use your eyes, see what hitters do. He had a two-seam changeup. We weren't seeing the swing and miss." Carlos Chantres, who works as the Latin American pitching coordinator for the Chicago Cubs. One day in 2011, during a pregame bullpen session at a small South Carolina ballpark, Chantres approached Kahnle with a simple question: "Tommy, how do you grip your changeup?" Kahnle didn't say a word. He just held up the two-seam changeup grip. "Most of your fastballs are four-seam, right?" Chantres asked. "Yeah," Kahnle said. Advertisement "Then why don't we try a four-seam changeup grip?" Chantres asked. "It seems like hitters are seeing this one pretty good." Since Kahnle threw a four-seam fastball, switching to a four-seam changeup grip helped him tunnel the two pitches, making the changeup mirror his fastball out of the hand before dropping late and generating swings and misses. To this day, Kahnle still uses that grip. "He liked the feel," Chantres said. JEFF SEIDEL: Tigers have 'madhouse of a bullpen,' and Will Vest leads the vibe In 2011, the Yankees — and every other MLB team — didn't have advanced technology like they do in 2025. There was just a computer system and a camera, so Chantres couldn't fully evaluate the new changeup in the bullpen. Advertisement The real test came in a live game. Once Kahnle threw it, the feedback from hitters was immediate. The four-seam grip gave the changeup more depth. It missed bats. "Oh (expletive), there it is," Chantres said. BULLPEN STRIKES AGAIN: Tigers bring back 'pitching chaos' strategy for win, led by Brant Hurter 'Always had a great changeup' For a long time, Kahnle's changeup complemented his four-seam fastball, which maxed out 100.6 mph in 2017. He also mixed in a sinker, slider, cutter and curveball at various points in his career, but the fastball remained his primary weapon, followed by the changeup as his second-most-used pitch. Advertisement His fastball velocity began to dip in 2019. That's when the changeup took over as his go-to pitch. "I always had a great changeup," Kahnle said. "We just didn't utilize it a lot because I had an elite fastball at the time. Eventually, we made the switch. Every year since then, the usage has just gotten higher and higher." In 2019, Kahnle threw 51.9% changeups, 44.2% four-seam fastballs and 3.9% sliders. From there, his changeup usage surged — all the way to 84% in 2025. Since 2019, only Devin Williams (2,541) and Trevor Richards (2,201) have thrown more changeups than Kahnle's 2,088 among MLB relievers. Advertisement Hitters still haven't solved it: They're batting just .155 off Kahnle's changeup since 2019 — and only .148 in 2025. By 2022, fellow pitchers had picked up on Kahnle's changeup usage, though hitters had been aware of it for a few years. That season, he pitched for the Dodgers. His changeup became a running joke in the clubhouse. "A lot of guys with L.A. were chirping about it: You could throw this pitch 100 times, they know it's coming, and they still can't hit it," Kahnle said. "It gave me a good laugh." [ NEW TIGERS NEWSLETTER! Sign up for The Purr-fect Game, a weekly dose of Tigers news, numbers and analysis for Freep subscribers, here. ] Advertisement Sometimes, Kahnle second-guesses the extreme changeup usage, which has been north of 70% in four straight seasons. He entered 2025 with the Tigers hoping to scale it back, but the data — and the results — keep reinforcing the changeup. So do his teammates. "You know it's coming, and you still really can't hit it," said Texas Rangers catcher Kyle Higashioka, who caught Kahnle for years in the Yankees' organization, dating to their time in Low-A Charleston in 2011 — the year Kahnle learned the four-seam changeup grip. "It's definitely something special." The person behind the pitcher Detroit Tigers pitcher Tommy Kahnle works out during spring training at TigerTown in Lakeland, Fla. on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. Kahnle and Higashioka met for the first time in 2011. Advertisement They had just turned 21. "We were all pretty wild back then," Higashioka said. Every day, Kahnle refused to tie his shoes while running in warmups and shagging fly balls during batting practice, but he eventually laced them up for the game. "Tommy, you're going to twist your ankle," said Chantres, the pitching coach who taught Kahnle the changeup grip. "You got to tie your shoes." "No, Carlos, I've got the strongest ankles in America," Kahnle said. He's goofy like that. "Tommy still is wild," Higashioka said. For example, Kahnle shaves his entire body as a personal punishment when he allows a run — a tradition he started in the minor leagues and still follows today. He is the loudest player in the Tigers' clubhouse, collects Philadelphia Eagles jerseys, wears a Notre Dame football helmet and keeps a video game console with a monitor in his locker. He's also known for his caffeine addiction, having graduated from five Red Bulls a day to two C4 Energy drinks and two large cups of coffee. Advertisement How does Kahnle describe his personality? "High-energy, carefree, just having fun," he said. Detroit Tigers pitcher Tommy Kahnle (43) high-fives teammates after the win over the Baltimore Orioles during Game 2 of a doubleheader at Comerica Park in Detroit on Saturday, April 26, 2025. It's impossible not to love him. "He keeps everyone loose," Higashioka said. Kahnle and Higashioka worked together for a few years in the minors with the Yankees, then again in the big leagues after Kahnle returned to the Yankees in 2017, following stints with the Colorado Rockies and Chicago White Sox. Higashioka had a part in the evolution of Kahnle's changeup usage. "When he came back to us, he was throwing more fastballs," Higashioka said. "Over time, the data was showing that his changeup was unhittable, so the coaches kept pushing us to throw more and more changeups. Apparently, it doesn't matter if people know it's coming. It's that good." 'Big statement for him' The personality, the contract, the changeup — it has all led Kahnle to becoming a key piece of the Tigers' bullpen in the 2025 season. In Detroit, he has stepped into a closer role for the first time in his 11-year MLB career. Advertisement His journey traces back to that grip change in 2011. And Kahnle still credits Chantres. A TEAM PLAYER: Tigers reliever Tommy Kahnle not picky about role with A.J. Hinch, Chris Fetter Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Tommy Kahnle reacts after the Tigers defeated the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. "That's a good feeling as a coach," said Chantres, now 49 and working as the Chicago Cubs' Latin American pitching coordinator. "I've been in this game for many years. A lot of guys that I've taught got to the big leagues, but when people remember stuff like that, it's a good feeling." In 2025, Kahnle owns a career-best 1.24 ERA with eight walks and 26 strikeouts across 29 innings in 28 games, notching eight saves in 11 opportunities. He generates whiffs, limits walks and induces ground-ball contact. Advertisement The Tigers have deployed a two-closer system this season, with Kahnle and fellow right-handed reliever Will Vest combining for 19 saves: 11 from Vest, eight from Kahnle. Kahnle is happy to pitch in any role. But the Tigers want him — and his changeup — in the biggest moments. "Every good team needs a good closer — somebody you can rely on to keep the score where it's at and win games," Higashioka said. "The fact that he's closing, and the Tigers have the best record in the American League, that's a big statement for him." Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@ or follow him @EvanPetzold. Advertisement Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at Order your copy of 'Roar of 125: The Epic History of the Detroit Tigers!' by the Free Press at This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tommy Kahnle and elite changeup fueling Detroit Tigers bullpen
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Detroit Tigers' Tommy Kahnle reflects on 10 years of MLB service time: 'It's an honor'
As a rookie in 2014, Detroit Tigers reliever Tommy Kahnle never imagined he'd reach 10 years of MLB service time. The milestone is considered the holy grail for players, fully vesting them in the pension plan. For Kahnle, it started to feel within reach when he received his gold card — an lifetime pass granting free admittance to any MLB regular-season game — after hitting eight years of service time. Advertisement "You're like, 'Oh, wow, only two years left,'" Kahnle said. BEAT WRITER RETURNS: Five Tigers takeaways from watching as new dad on paternity leave Detroit Tigers pitcher Tommy Kahnle (43) runs onto the field for ninth inning against Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, April 17, 2025. On May 6, Kahnle's career clock struck 10 years. "It's been a long time," Kahnle said. He added: "Did I ever think I'd get to this point? Probably not." Fittingly, the Tigers were scheduled to play the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field — the site of Kahnle's MLB debut on April 3, 2014, as a member of the Rockies — but the first game of the series was postponed due to rain. That didn't stop the celebration. Buy our book: The epic 125-season history of the Tigers! Advertisement "The rain made us not play, but it doesn't take the day away from Tommy," said Tigers manager A.J. Hinch. "We had a little celebration inside during our mini workout. It's a huge accomplishment to stand this test of time." "It's an honor," Kahnle said. The 35-year-old has pitched in 11 MLB seasons for five teams: Rockies (2014-15), Chicago White Sox (2016-17), New York Yankees (2017-20, 2023-24), Los Angeles Dodgers (2022) and Tigers (2025). Over 402 games — all as a reliever — he owns a 3.38 ERA with 176 walks and 464 strikeouts across 386⅓ innings. The Yankees selected Kahnle — a native of upstate New York — in the fifth round of the 2010 MLB Draft out of Lynn University, then the Rockies scooped him up in the 2013 Rule 5 Draft. Advertisement The high point of his career was competing in the 2024 World Series, whereas the low point was undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in 2020. "That's what I've been searching for these last five, six years," Kahnle said of the World Series, which the Yankees lost to the Dodgers. "You really hone in on trying to win and get it done. Last year sucked, but it was also pretty awesome to get there." [ MUST LISTEN: Make "Days of Roar" your go-to Detroit Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) ] There are plenty of miles on his arm, but Kahnle still shows up to the ballpark with a youthful energy. Advertisement "It's kept me going," he said. Fewer than 10% of all MLB players reach 10 years of service time. And Kahnle is one of them. "Definitely pride," he said. "It's hard to get to this point. The amount of guys I played with through the minors and the majors, and then I'm the one that somehow managed to wiggle all the way here, it is crazy to think about. It's a cool moment." Free Press columnist Jeff Seidel contributed to this report. Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@ or follow him @EvanPetzold. Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon on demand at Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at Advertisement Order your copy of 'Roar of 125: The Epic History of the Detroit Tigers!' by the Free Press at This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Tommy Kahnle reaches 10 years of MLB service time
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Brief: Weighing the trust level of some AL closer situations
Fantasy baseball analyst Dalton Del Don scans the league for saves sources and provides updates to unsettled or intriguing bullpens. Go here for his National League Bullpen Brief. Boston Red Sox Aroldis Chapman could still be used in high-leverage situations at times, but he's emerged as the clear favorite to close in Boston. Liam Hendriks struggled to get his velocity back during the spring and is on the IL, whereas Chapman continues to look good after being one of baseball's best relievers after the All-Star break last year. Chapman has top-10 fantasy closer upside. Chicago White Sox The White Sox have yet to record a save this season, and opportunities will likely remain limited. Mike Clevinger looks like the favorite to close for Chicago, but he's been used in the eighth inning and hasn't been overly effective early on. Detroit Tigers Detroit's closing situation remains undecided, but Tommy Kahnle has emerged as the favorite for saves. Beau Brieske pitched in the sixth inning during his last appearance, while Kahnle closed out the Tigers' win. Kahnle has injury risk, but he's an effective pitcher who should take over Detroit's ninth-inning role. Kahnle should be added almost universally in fantasy, yet he's still available in more than 90% of Yahoo leagues. Los Angeles Angels The Angels surprisingly lead the league in save opportunities despite having played fewer games than most teams. Given his modest ADP and locked-in role as closer (compared to the chaos throughout the league), Kenley Jansen looks like one of the very best RP fantasy picks this year. Advertisement Tampa Bay Rays Pete Fairbanks' velocity remains a bit down (97.3 mph) compared to 2022-23 (99.1), but he recorded Tampa Bay's lone save opportunity this season. He remains a strong candidate to spend some time on the IL — Fairbanks' career-high in innings is 45.1 — as well as be traded at the deadline. But he should rack up saves as the Rays' closer in the meantime. Edwin Uceta would be in the mix, but if Fairbanks gets injured or traded, Mason Montgomery is Tampa Bay's future closer. [It's not too late — join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2025 MLB season] Texas Rangers Luke Jackson (40% rostered) has been called on to close every opportunity in which he's been available this season, and that includes the Rangers' second game of the season, after Jackson got blown up during a save chance on Opening Day. Manager Bruce Bochy prefers using one closer, and Jackson is his guy right now. But Jackson's K-BB% (6.3) ranks 147th out of 205 qualified relief pitchers, and his CSW (25.9%) ranks 131st. The 33-year-old owns a career 1.45 WHIP. Role is all that matters in fantasy terms but beware of Jackson's warning signs. Advertisement Meanwhile, Chris Martin owns a 0.29 FIP and a 37.5 K-BB%. Martin's CSW (38.2%) ranks top 15 among relievers this season, and his career WHIP is 1.13. Martin is available in nearly 50% of Yahoo leagues. Toronto Blue Jays Jeff Hoffman has looked terrific (0.72 SIERA) while recording three saves over four appearances with Toronto. He'd have another save (Yimi García got it instead) if not for pitching four times over five days. Hoffman had some long-term health concerns when it was revealed teams failed his physical during the offseason, but he says he feels 100%, and the results have backed it. Hoffman is a locked-in top 10 fantasy closer.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Brief (Part I): Plenty of saves to go around with Dodgers
Arizona Diamondbacks A.J. Puk has recorded both of Arizona's saves and appears to be the 1A in a committee with Justin Martinez. Puk posted a 1.72 ERA with a 0.75 WHIP and a 30.0 K-BB% as a reliever last season, so he's capable of running away with the job. However, the lefty has been less effective against righties (3.80 FIP) than LHB (2.73) throughout his career, and Martinez has a 45.0 K-BB% and a -0.92 FIP over three appearances to open the season. Martinez has some of the best stuff in baseball, so expect the two to split saves moving forward. Advertisement Atlanta Braves The Braves entered as the team most due for positive regression this season, yet they are on pace to go 0-162. Rasiel Iglesias could be a buy-low candidate in your league. Boston Red Sox Aroldis Chapman could still be used in high-leverage situations at times, but he's emerged as the clear favorite to close in Boston. Liam Hendriks struggled to get his velocity back during spring and is on the IL, whereas Chapman continues to look good after being one of baseball's best relievers after the All-Star break last year. Chapman has top-10 fantasy closer upside. Chicago Cubs Ryan Pressley has recorded two of Chicago's three saves, but his 2.25 ERA comes with a 7.14 SIERA. He owns a 1:4 K:BB ratio over four innings while flashing the lowest velocity (93.6 mph) of his career. Pressley remains the favorite to close for the Cubs, but Porter Hodge looms. Hodge is available in more than 80% of Yahoo leagues. Chicago White Sox The White Sox have yet to record a save this season, and opportunities will likely remain limited. Mike Clevinger looks like the favorite to close for Chicago, but he's been used in the eighth inning and hasn't been overly effective early on. Advertisement [It's not too late — join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2025 MLB season] Cincinnati Reds Emilio Pagán has emerged as Cincinnati's preferred ninth-inning option. He lost 30 pounds over the offseason, but projection systems are bearish moving forward. Alexis Díaz is coming off a down season and has his own concerns, but he'll regain the closer's role once he's off the IL. Manager Terry Francona has historically used a full-time closer, so Díaz (73% rostered) is well worth stashing in fantasy leagues. Colorado Rockies Seth Halvorsen has recorded the Rockies' lone save to open the season. Victor Vodnik is still in the mix, and Coors Field remains a hurdle, but Halvorsen (23% rostered) is the preferred fantasy option in Colorado's bullpen. Detroit Tigers Detroit's closing situation remains undecided, but Tommy Kahnle has emerged as the favorite for saves. Beau Brieske pitched in the sixth inning during his last appearance, while Kahnle closed out the Tigers' win. Kahnle has injury risk, but he's an effective pitcher who should take over Detroit's ninth-inning role. Kahnle should be added almost universally in fantasy, yet he's still available in more than 90% of Yahoo leagues. Los Angeles Angels The Angels surprisingly lead the league in save opportunities despite having played fewer games than most teams. Given his modest ADP and locked-in role as closer (compared to the chaos throughout the league), Kenley Jansen looks like one of the very best RP fantasy picks this year. Los Angeles Dodgers Tanner Scott won't be used as a traditional closer, but he's recorded two of the Dodgers' four saves and is the favorite to work the ninth inning. Control is usually Scott's biggest concern, but he's yet to walk a batter this season over five innings. However, his K% (21.1) is also way down, and his average fastball velocity (95.9 mph) is a career low. Advertisement It's a tiny sample but worth monitoring given the Dodgers' alternatives; Kirby Yates owns a 64.3 K-BB% and a -1.67 FIP over his first four appearances. Yates' 50.0% CSW ranks first among 205 qualified relievers. The Dodgers are going to provide a ton of save opportunities to go around in Los Angeles. Miami Marlins Anthony Bender has recorded Miami's lone save this season, and he's also likely the team's best reliever. Calvin Faucher entered the season as the slight favorite to close for the Marlins, but he's posted an ugly -7.1 K-BB% over his first three appearances. Bender posted the fourth-best CSW (35.2%) among 144 qualified relievers when he was a rookie in 2021, and he recorded a 3.21 SIERA last season, so he can pitch when healthy. Bender is available in a whopping 97% of Yahoo leagues. Go add him. Milwaukee Brewers The Brewers are one of just three teams (Twins and Orioles the others) yet to produce a save opportunity this season. Trevor Megill entered the year as the favorite to close in Milwaukee, and he's been dominant over three appearances. Megill struggled in the second half of last year (10.0 K-BB%, 4.51 FIP), but he sports a 5:0 K:BB ratio with a 43.8% CSW over 2.1 innings. Megill pitched the ninth inning of Wednesday's tied game, suggesting he's the preferred option to close (Milwaukee could no longer have a save opportunity as the home team in the game).
CBS News
30-01-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Tigers sign pitcher Tommy Kahnle to 1-year deal worth $7.75 million
Veteran right-hander Tommy Kahnle has signed a one-year, $7.75 million contract with Detroit, boosting the Tigers' bullpen as they come off their first playoff season in a decade. Kahnle, 35, went 0-2 with a 2.11 ERA and one save in 50 relief appearances with the American League champion New York Yankees last season. He struck out 46 and walked 19 in 42 2/3 innings. "I think Tommy gives us a different look," Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris said Wednesday. "He gives us a look we didn't have. He's a guy who can throw an elite changeup even when hitters know it's coming, and it still can either miss bats or induce soft contact on the ground. He has special ability." In a corresponding move, the Tigers designated right-handed pitcher Alex Faedo for assignment. The 29-year-old Faedo went 5-3 with a 3.61 ERA last season while making 37 appearances, including six starts. Kahnle allowed three runs – two earned – over 8 2/3 innings in nine playoff appearances last season. He owns a 2-1 record and 3.00 ERA in 27 career postseason relief outings. He has a 10-14 record with eight saves and a 3.47 ERA in 390 career regular-season games, all in relief. His career includes stints with the Colorado Rockies (2014-15), Chicago White Sox (2016-17), Yankees (2017-20 and 2023-24) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2022).
