The Detroit Tigers re-signed right-hander Tyler Mattison to a minor league contract, retaining a power-armed reliever whose fastball characteristics continue to stand out as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery and pushes for a potential major league debut in 2026.

Mattison, 26, has emerged as an intriguing depth option largely on the strength of a four-seam fastball that grades among the best in the organization by underlying metrics. During the 2025 season at Triple-A Toledo, Mattison averaged 19.4 inches of induced vertical break (IVB) on his four-seamer, frequently touching the 20–21 inch range. That type of “ride” allows the pitch to miss bats above the barrel, particularly at the top of the strike zone. Jerry of TMLR with the clutch stat pull from Statcast.

Advertisement

The fastball’s movement is paired with elite spin. Mattison averaged 2,663 revolutions per minute on more than 250 four-seam fastballs last season, a threshold reached by only a handful of major league pitchers throwing comparable volume. The combination of spin and vertical carry has made the pitch his calling card and a legitimate swing-and-miss weapon against upper-level hitters.

Mattison appeared in Triple-A with the Toledo Mud Hens in 2025 as part of his return from elbow surgery, striking out hitters at a strong rate while continuing to refine his command. While walks have occasionally been an issue throughout his minor league career, evaluators remain encouraged by the quality of his stuff and the progress of his secondaries.

Advertisement

In addition to the fastball, Mattison features a hard power curveball that gives him a true out pitch when he gets ahead in the count. He has also continued to develop a changeup, a pitch that could help him neutralize left-handed hitters as he moves closer to the majors.

Originally selected by Detroit in the fourth round of the 2021 draft out of Bryant University, Mattison quickly established himself as a strikeout-oriented reliever in the Tigers’ system. Across his minor league career, he owns a strikeout total well north of a batter per inning, with success at multiple levels prior to his injury.

Detroit added Mattison to its 40-man roster in late 2024 to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, a move that reflected the organization’s belief in his upside despite the lost development time. After being non-tendered last offseason, the Tigers elected to bring him back on a minor league deal, keeping a familiar arm in the pipeline.

Advertisement

If healthy, Mattison is expected to compete for innings at Triple-A again in 2026, with a non-roster invitation to spring training giving him an early opportunity to re-establish himself. For a Tigers bullpen that continues to prioritize velocity, spin and vertical approach angles, Mattison’s fastball alone makes him a name worth tracking as the organization looks for internal relief options.

Follow me on “X” @rogcastbaseball