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Biography
Drew Edward VerHagen (born October 22, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Early life
VerHagen attended Rockwall-Heath High School in Heath, Texas, where he was a three-year letter winner. VerHagen did not pitch his senior year due to having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
College career
VerHagen began his collegiate career by enrolling at the University of Oklahoma in 2010, where he pitched 13 1⁄3 innings with a 3.38 earned run average (ERA) for the Oklahoma Sooners. He spent the summer with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod League, where he was 0–1 with a 1.66 ERA.
The following year he transferred to Navarro College, where he was a member of the 2011 National Junior College Athletic Association JUCO World Series championship team. VerHagen then transferred to Vanderbilt University, where he made 27 appearances, including seven starts, and went 6–3 with a 3.50 ERA in 69 1⁄3 innings for the Vanderbilt Commodores in 2012.
Professional career
VerHagen was drafted in the fourth round, 154th overall, by the Detroit Tigers in the 2012 MLB Draft.
After signing with Detroit, VerHagen pitched in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League for the Gulf Coast League Tigers and for the Lakeland Flying Tigers of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League. He went 0–3 with a 3.48 ERA in 10 games, including six starts in 2012. In 2013, he split his time between Lakeland and the Erie SeaWolves of the Class AA Eastern League. VerHagen went 7–8 with a 2.90 ERA and a 1.147 WHIP in 24 appearances. The Tigers invited VerHagen to spring training in 2014.
Prior to being called up in 2014, VerHagen was 6–7, with a 3.67 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 19 starts for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. VerHagen made his major league debut for the Detroit Tigers on July 19, 2014, in a game against the Cleveland Indians. VerHagen allowed five hits and three earned runs in five innings, while walking three and striking out four. He was optioned back to Triple-A Toledo the next day.
In 2015, VerHagen was converted into a reliever, making 20 appearances out of the bullpen between AA Erie and AAA Toledo. He made one appearance with the Tigers on July 5, and was optioned back to Toledo. He returned to the Tigers for an August 19 appearance against the Chicago Cubs, and remained with the parent club the rest of the season. VerHagen recorded his first career major league win, in a 9–2 decision over the Cleveland Indians in the second game of a doubleheader on September 13, 2015. He pitched two scoreless innings, allowing zero hits and two walks. For the 2015 season, he would pitch a total of 26 1⁄3 innings with the Tigers, surrendering only 18 hits while striking out 13 and posting a 2.05 ERA.
VerHagen made the Tigers' opening day roster in 2016. On May 22, 2016, he was optioned to AAA Toledo after compiling a 7.11 ERA in 19 innings pitched.
Pitch Selection
VerHagen throws two primary pitches: a fastball in the 93–94 MPH range (topping out at 96 MPH), and an upper-70s curveball. He throws his fastball as both a four-seamer and a two-seamer. He mixes in an occasional changeup at 83–85 mph.