Tommy Kahnle, a prominent reliever for the Detroit Tigers, has pivoted his career with an exceptional changeup that he throws an astonishing 84% of the time. Having joined the Tigers on a one-year, $7.75 million contract, Kahnle's effectiveness has transitioned him into a high-leverage reliever role. This season, he has already achieved eight saves in 28 games, a remarkable uptick from his previous ten seasons.

His journey to mastering the changeup came from a pivotal moment in 2011 with pitching coach Carlos Chantres, who suggested a grip adjustment that revolutionized Kahnle's approach. Since then, his changeup has consistently baffled hitters, boasting a .155 batting average against it since 2019. Kahnle's ability to utilize this pitch, even when batters anticipate it, solidifies his status as a critical asset in the Tigers' bullpen for the 2025 season.