Tigers’ Voelker Moving Quickly

DETROIT—Righthander Paul Voelker is quickly climbing through the system. The reliever’s numbers have been good at every stop along the way.

Voelker has pitched at five levels—from the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League to Double-A Erie—since the Tigers made him a 10th-round pick out of Dallas Baptist in the 2014 draft.

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The 23-year-old hasn’t missed a beat during any of those steps.

“We’ve moved him through the system pretty quickly,” assistant general manager David Chadd said. “His first full year was last year, and he ended up in Double-A. He seems to be holding his own up there.”

Based on Voelker’s numbers, it’s easy to see why the Tigers keep promoting him.

In 2014, Voelker recorded a 2.33 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 35 strikeouts in 27 combined innings in the GCL and at short-season Connecticut.

In 2015, Voelker went 6-1, 2.11 with a 1.08 WHIP and 18 saves in 40 games at low Class A West Michigan, high Class A Lakeland and Erie.

Through eight appearances this season, Voelker had pitched seven scoreless innings with 14 strikeouts, eight hits allowed and two walks.

Voelker does not have a traditional pitcher’s build. Listed at 5-feet-10 and 185 pounds, he might be slightly shorter than that. Still, Chadd has liked what he’s seen.

“He’s not a tall guy,” Chadd said. “He’s a shorter guy, but he’s got a good arm. He competes. He’s done well.”

Chadd said Voelker has a low- to mid-90s fastball and a good slider. He also said that he’s very aggressive.

“He’s not afraid is what I like about him,” Chadd said. “From my viewpoint, if he tightens up his secondary pitches and continues to throw strikes, he’ll be fine.”

TIGER TALES

• Righthanders Warwick Saupold, Preston Guilmet, Logan Kensing and Bobby Parnell combined for a no-hitter on April 23 for Triple-A Toledo after lefthander Matt Boyd was scratched. The Tigers called up Boyd the next day.

• Right fielder Steven Moya led Toledo with five home runs and 13 RBIs through 21 games. Moya, who is 6-foot-7, 260 pounds, was hitting .261/.293/.500 with three walks (one intentional) and 20 strikeouts.