MINNEAPOLIS — Detroit Tigers utility player Zach McKinstry, a left-handed hitter acquired three days before Opening Day in a trade with the Chicago Cubs, earned his role this season as the leadoff hitter against right-handed pitchers, thanks to his quality plate appearances.
A month later, the 28-year-old is slumping for the first time in this season. After a red-hot May, McKinstry has been regressing through 13 games in June to results that align with his career numbers.
“I’m trying to simplify and keep that ball in the middle of the plate,” McKinstry said. “I’m maybe chasing pitches in a little bit and getting a little too aggressive. But I’ll keep going and have good at-bats. That’s all you can do.”
TORK TIME: We might be seeing the beginning of Spencer Torkelson’s breakthrough for Tigers
WHAT HE SEES: Tigers’ Scott Harris details ‘progress’ team’s made at Detroit Economic Club event
McKinstry is hitting .122 (6-for-49) with one home run, one walk and 10 strikeouts across 51 plate appearances in June. He hasn’t recorded a walk since June 5, when he led off the seventh inning of the first game of the series against the Philadelphia Phillies with a free pass.
His inability to draw walks, rather than his inability to collect hits, seems like the most concerning part of his slump because the Tigers acquired him for his plate discipline and walk rate in the minor leagues.
Offspeed pitches, such as changeups, at the bottom of the strike zone and below the strike zone seem to be the problem right now.
McKinstry posted a 12.5% swing-and-miss rate on offspeed pitches in May. He had the best month of his career in May, hitting .301 with two homers, 20 walks and 15 strikeouts across 97 plate appearances in 26 games. His .454 on-base percentage in May ranked first in the American League.
He knows what he is capable of doing in the batter’s box.
“It’s there,” he said.
But McKinstry has a 28.5% whiff rate on offspeed pitches in June, which aligns with his 26.5% whiff rate on offspeed pitches in the 2022 season — spanning 57 games — for the Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers. (His 29.4% whiff rate on breaking balls in June also aligns with his 29.7% whiff rate on those pitches in 2022.)
“We used some numbers looking back at the last few games,” McKinstry said. “(Opposing pitchers are) going at me a little different now. They’re throwing more changeups away and 10% more offspeed.”
McKinstry took early batting practice before Friday’s game against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field, making a slight change: He brought his hands closer to his body.
“We were just going through my routine out there,” McKinstry said, “getting some extra swings in, looking at some film, making sure that everything is linking up good and my body is working the way it should be.”
McKinstry is hitting .243 with 25 walks (11.8% walk rate) and 41 strikeouts (19.3% strikeout rate) across 60 games. His walk and strikeout rates are career bests in his fourth MLB season, and he has already set a career high with 212 plate appearances.
And the Tigers continue to trust him in the leadoff spot.
“I think it’s the season,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “These guys aren’t going to stay red-hot the way that he was for the entire season. … I think it’s a little bit of the peaks and valleys of the season, and he’s going to have to battle through it. He’s going to play every day against righties.”
Eduardo Rodriguez throws bullpen
Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez, sidelined with a left index finger pulley rupture, completed his first bullpen session Friday at Target Field. The 30-year-old hasn’t pitched in a game since May 28.
“He’s progressing nicely and itching to do more, which is a good sign,” Hinch said. “He’s been normal, which is good. We’re in uncharted territory with how fast to progress, but he’s reminding me daily that he feels good.”
UPDATE: Austin Meadows continues work at home in Florida, but no timetable for return to Tigers
INJURIES IN MINORS: Tigers’ Ryan Kreidler undergoes another surgery; Jackson Jobe throws to hitters
Hinch said Rodriguez has been “exerting a ton of energy” in the bullpen, but he wasn’t sure if Rodriguez threw all his pitches or strictly fastballs in Friday’s bullpen session. He throws a four-seam fastball, cutter, changeup, sinker and slider.
In 11 starts, Rodriguez has a 2.13 ERA with 16 walks and 67 strikeouts across 67⅔ innings.
“We’ll see what’s next,” Hinch said.
Medical update
Left-hander Tarik Skubal (left elbow strain) allowed one hit in three scoreless innings with five strikeouts Thursday with Triple-A Toledo, throwing 24 of 31 pitches for strikes. He threw an undisclosed number of pitches in the bullpen after Thursday’s start.
It was the third start of his rehab assignment, and the first since being transferred to the Mud Hens from High-A West Michigan. The 26-year-old will make his next rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Toledo.
“That was just competitively dominant,” Hinch said.
Hinch didn’t put a timetable on Skubal’s return to the Tigers, but Skubal theoretically could pitch in at least three more rehab starts before his 30-day rehab window expires. Then again, considering his performance, he doesn’t appear to need that many more outings in the minor leagues.
WAITING FOR THE CALL: Can top prospect Colt Keith help the Tigers? He explains ‘career-changing’ swing adjustment
‘WE MISS YOU’: Tigers’ Riley Greene elated to rejoin teammates at Comerica Park, talks recovery process from injury
Right-hander Matt Manning (right foot fracture) was set to make the second start of his rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Toledo. The 25-year-old could return to the Tigers before Skubal because he suffered a non-surgical injury in his foot, whereas Skubal underwent flexor tendon surgery in his throwing arm.
Right-hander Spencer Turnbull (neck discomfort) is scheduled to start a throwing program next week.
The Tigers transferred right-handed reliever Trey Wingenter (right biceps tendinitis) from Low-A Lakeland to Triple-A Toledo to continue his rehab assignment. He is scheduled to pitch one inning Saturday.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.