Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Splitter: 70 | Control: 60 | Overall: 65
• 7/10: Mize returns in rehab start
Undrafted out of high school, Mize honored his commitment to Auburn and blossomed into one of the top college pitchers in the nation. His combination of stuff and control improved in each of his three years there, and he became the highest drafted player in program history when Detroit made him the No. 1 overall pick and signed him for $7.5 million, a record in the bonus pool era. A lengthy junior campaign during which Mize accrued 114 2/3 innings prompted the Tigers to limit his workload after signing, though it certainly didn't keep the right-hander from having an impressive pro debut that concluded with four abbreviated starts in the Florida State League. He dominated early in his first full season, first in the FSL and then after a promotion to Double-A Erie, though his progress was slowed by a shoulder injury in mid-June.
With plus command and the ability to induce whiffs with three different pitches, Mize has the ingredients needed to headline a starting rotation. A plus-plus splitter in the mid-80s that dives at the plate is his best offering, and he's adept at locating the pitch down in the zone or below it. Mize sets it up with a 92-97 mph fastball that he commands exceptionally well despite its running life. His mid-80s slider took a step forward as a junior, consistently grading as a plus offering, and he also has developed the ability to manipulate it into a harder cutter when he desires. Mize has long shown a knack for pounding the zone and attacking hitters. He finished first in NCAA Division I in K/BB ratio (12.1) and fourth in walks per nine innings (1.0) as a sophomore and posted similar numbers as a junior while finishing third among D-I hurlers with 156 strikeouts.
That Mize was shut down in 2017 at Auburn and again in the summer with Team USA due to a tired arm and flexor strain in his forearm raises concerns about his durability. However, he did his part by staying healthy throughout his 2018 campaign, and neither his athletic frame nor his clean delivery have a glaring flaw. With his plus stuff and plus command, it should surprise no one to see him move quickly through the Tigers' system. Transactions Team Date Transaction 01/16/2020 Detroit Tigers invited non-roster RHP Casey Mize to spring training. 07/19/2019 RHP Casey Mize assigned to Erie SeaWolves from Lakeland Flying Tigers. 07/10/2019 RHP Casey Mize assigned to Lakeland Flying Tigers from Erie SeaWolves. 06/15/2019 Erie SeaWolves placed RHP Casey Mize on the 7-day injured list retroactive to June 14, 2019. 04/25/2019 RHP Casey Mize assigned to Erie SeaWolves from Lakeland Flying Tigers. 01/22/2019 Detroit Tigers invited non-roster RHP Casey Mize to spring training. 07/31/2018 RHP Casey Mize assigned to Lakeland Flying Tigers from GCL Tigers West. 07/26/2018 RHP Casey Mize assigned to GCL Tigers West. 06/25/2018 Detroit Tigers signed RHP Casey Mize.
