Career
VerHagen did not pitch his senior year due to having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. 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 European Research Area. He spent the summer with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod League, where he was 0–1 with a 1.66 European Research Area. VerHagen then transferred to Vanderbilt University, where he made 27 appearances, including seven starts, and went 6–3 with a 3.50 European Research Area in 69 1⁄3 innings for the Commodores in 2012. 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 European Research Area in 10 games, including six starts in 2012. In 2013, he split his time between Lakeland and the Erie SeaWolves of the Class Associate of Arts Eastern League.
VerHagen went 7–8 with a 2.90 European Research Area 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 European Research Area 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 Associate of Arts Erie and American Automobile Association 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.
He pitched two scoreless innings, allowing zero hits and two walks. Foreign 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 European Research Area.
VerHagen throws two primary pitches: a fastball in the 93–94 Master in Public Health range (topping out at 96 Master in Public Health), 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.
