Former Auburn Tiger ace pitcher Casey Mize was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 MLB draft to the Detroit Tigers. Since, he has flown through the minor league ranks.
In college, Mize logged an impressive 156 strikeouts in 114.2 innings pitched with a 3.30 ERA.
The Springville, Alabama, native made his pro ball debut with the Tigers rookie affiliate in the Gulf Coast League, where he made one start, pitching two innings with four strikeouts and a walk.
He was quickly moved to the Tigers single-A affiliate in the Florida State League with the Lakeland Flying Tigers. He ended his 2018 season sporting an 0-1 record after starting four games and throwing 11.2 innings. He struck out ten batters with a 4.63 ERA. He completed his first season in pro ball with a 3.95 ERA in 13.2 innings while striking out 14 batters.
To follow his rookie campaign, Mize started his second pro year still in the Florida State League with the Lakeland Flying Tigers. He made four starts and had a 2-0 record with a 0.35 ERA in 26 innings while striking out 25 batters.
Mize received the call in late April that he would be added to Detroit’s double-AA affiliate roster, the Erie Seawolves in the Eastern League. On April 29, Mize proved management right when he made his double-AA debut and he threw a no-hitter. Mize completely dominated on the mound, only allowing two runners on base, while striking out seven batters.
He was placed on the minor league injured reserve list June 14, however, as the Detroit pipeline is taking no chances with a shoulder injury that has caused inflammation.
Mize made six starts after his All-Star nod, boasting a 5-0 record with an astounding 1.21 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 44.2 innings.
His second year in pro ball has been impressive with totals of a 7-0 record, a 0.89 ERA, and 65 strikeouts in 70.2 innings.
Mize is on a fast-track to the MLB and is expediting a process that usually lasts around three to four years. He could do it in less than two, and some think we could see him in the major leagues by the end of the 2019 season, when teams participate in September call ups.
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