PHOENIX – If you were around Chase Field recently, more specifically on the east side of the stadium, you might have caught a rare glimpse of Detroit SP Tarik Skubal training in the middle of the street in Downtown Phoenix.
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May 17, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Skubal (29) throws against the Diamondbacks in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Tarik Skubal’s training session outside Chase Field:
Tarik Skubal getting some work in right outside of his future home ballpark 👀 pic.twitter.com/fZq5NTpYg3
— Logan🌵 (@phxlogan) December 13, 2025
Tarik Skubal throwing in the Arizona heat feels like a tease, but not an accident. The Tigers’ ace, one of the most efficient left-handers in baseball, choosing to train near Chase Field during peak trade chatter, lands differently when you remember where he’s from. Skubal, being from Kingman, Arizona, has always talked about how special it would be to play for his hometown team.
Tigers pitcher Skubal celebrates striking out Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh in the sixth inning of ALDS Game 5 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
From a strategic lens, Skubal’s value has never been higher. He pairs elite swing-and-miss stuff with uncommon efficiency, ranking near the top of the league in strikeouts per nine while limiting hard contact. That profile doesn’t just win games; it shows that he is one of the top arms in the entire MLB. For front offices, that’s gold. Skubal represents development done right, proving the rebuild produced a true ace. Nationally, contenders see a rare opportunity of a controllable, in-his-prime starter who thrives against modern lineups. Training in Arizona, away from noise and close to home, adds a psychological layer. This is a pitcher grounded, not distracted.
Tigers pitcher Skubal (29) pitches against Arizona during a game on Friday, May 17, 2024. © Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
Arizona lost a lot of pitching help last season as Corbin Burnes underwent Tommy John surgery, Merrill Kelly was traded to Texas before the deadline, and Zac Gallen has entered free agency. Adding a guy like Tarik Skubal would elevate them to an entirely different level and would have one of the best 1-2 punches in Burnes and Skubal for years to come.
D-backs sign Michael Soroka for critical rotation depth, DFA Bryce Jarvis
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
