Let's take a look at ESPN's scouting reports that caught my eye concerning some key Tigers:
Avila - "Scouts have suggested Avila's power would increase as he matured and became more comfortable offensively, so there is a good chance this increase in pop is sustainable. However, what really pushed the backstop up the rankings was a .295 batting average buoyed by a .366 BABIP that will be quite difficult to repeat. Since Avila's contact rate is less than 75 percent, he needs a high BABIP to sustain a high average, but he is a prime candidate for regression in that department in 2012."
Peralta - "Peralta enjoyed a season where he did nothing that he has not done before, but he did everything well in the same season. For the second straight year, Peralta fanned at a 17 percent rate, after whiffing more than 20 percent of the time earlier in his career. A 20 percent line drive rate fueled a .325 BABIP, a mark he bested while with Cleveland in '05 and '06. His HR/FB of 10.8 percent was actually a tick lower than his career average of 11.1 percent. Putting it together, Peralta hit a career-best .299, which was fully supported by his peripherals, so a decline, while likely, may not be as steep as many will contend. And as suggested, there may even be a few more homers in Peralta's bat if he can maintain the other levels while bringing his HR/FB above his career average. Peralta still does not get a lot of respect in fantasy circles. If this is true in your draft and you are OK finding steals elsewhere, draft Peralta with confidence, his regression will not be as severe as others expect."
Verlander - "While Verlander did drop his walk rate to a career-best 2.04 BB/9, he was the beneficiary of some serious luck on balls in play, sporting a minuscule .236 BABIP. His season was certainly one for the ages, but his xFIP of 3.12 warns us to temper expectations for this season. A 20-win season is tough enough, let alone the 24 Verlander earned in his award-winning campaign. In addition, he spun a career-high 251 innings, which is likely going to drop, resulting in fewer strikeouts. Verlander is still among the game's elite pitchers, but it may be overly optimistic to expect a repeat of last season."
Fister - "Acquired by Detroit at the July 31 trade deadline last season, Fister channeled Doyle Alexander and went an amazing 8-1 with a 1.79 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in 10 starts as a Tiger. In that span, he walked a scant five while fanning a modest 57 in 70 1/3 frames. Prior to the two-month run to end last season, Fister's K/9 was a pedestrian 5.2, though his BB/9 was an exceptional 1.9. His career strikeout rate rose to 5.5 while his walks dropped to 1.7. These are more reasonable expectations than a repeat of the 7.3 K/9 and 0.6 BB/9 he spun during his white-hot August and September. Being around the plate, Fister is going to give up a ton of hits, which is OK assuming he continues to be extremely frugal with the free passes and keeps the ball in the yard. To that end, Fister generates a lot of grounders and while no Safeco Field, Comerica Park is not a hitters' haven so Fister should fare well in that regard. The lack of strikeouts tempers Fister's value, but his low walk and strikeout rates will keep his ERA and WHIP in check and keep him in ample games to rack up plenty of wins."
