The Detroit pitcher who played college baseball at Seattle University was Tarik Skubal.
Skubal enrolled at Seattle University and played four seasons for the Redhawks. The program was the only NCAA Division I school to offer him a baseball scholarship, making his later rise to the major leagues especially notable. He left Seattle as the highest-drafted player in the program’s history.
The Detroit Tigers selected Skubal in the ninth round of the 2018 MLB draft. After developing in the minor leagues, he debuted for Detroit in 2020. His path contrasts with several other Tigers pitchers: Casey Mize attended Auburn, while Jack Flaherty attended Harvard-Westlake before playing at Vanderbilt.
Skubal’s college connection is sometimes overlooked because he became better known nationally as a Detroit ace. Seattle University later honored him for his achievements, including his emergence as an American League Cy Young Award winner.