x
Breaking News
More () »

It's official! Detroit Tigers take Casey Mize 1st overall in 2018 MLB draft

It's the Tigers' first top pick in 22 years and their highest since selecting ace Justin Verlander with the No. 2 pick in 2004.
Auburn pitcher Casey Mize talks about his baseball career Wednesday, May 16, 2018, at Hitchcock Field at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Alabama.(Photo: Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press)

AUBURN, Ala. - In high school, Casey Mize pitched for the Springville Tigers. In college, he pitched for the Auburn Tigers. And in the years to come, if all goes according to plan, Mize will pitch for the Detroit Tigers.

The Tigers selected Mize with the No. 1 overall pick in Monday's MLB draft, their first top pick in 22 years and their highest since selecting ace Justin Verlander with the No. 2 pick in 2004.

Mize, 21, has been compared to Verlander, and he is considered one of the safest picks in a draft class without many sure-fire stars.

Mize, who was undrafted out of high school, has dominated this season in the SEC, which is considered the best conference in college baseball. He is 10-5 with an 2.95 ERA, and he has struck out 151 batters and walked 12 over 109 2/3 innings. In his final pre-draft start on Saturday against Army in the NCAA regionals, Mize allowed one run over seven innings, striking out 11.

In three seasons since arriving in Auburn, Mize has steadily established himself as one of the best college pitchers in the country.

At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Mize is physical. But what has impressed talent evaluators the most is his supreme command of four pitches that scouts have graded as "plus" or better. He's the type of prospect who could make it to the major leagues in short order.

Mize’s fastball ranges from 92-96 mph. His split-fingered pitch — which serves as a change-up of sorts — is considered by many the best singular pitch in college baseball. He also throws a slider and cut fastball.

Put together, he was the safest option for the Tigers at No. 1. His performances — which included a no-hitter against Northeastern and a complete game, 15-strikeout effort against Vanderbilt — were too much to ignore. His projection – many scouts see him as a middle-of-the-rotation pitcher — cannot be limited because of his success in the SEC, college baseball’s toughest conference. His polish — some scouts believe he can pitch effectively in the Major Leagues right now — could help accelerate the Tigers’ rebuilding efforts.

Tigers scouts, who have watched every one of Mize’s starts this season, believe they have identified mechanical improvements which could help him pitch at the top of the rotation one day.

The only hurdles in drafting Mize were his medical history and contractual negotiations. Mize missed three starts with a right forearm strain last season, though famed orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews – who serves as Auburn’s team doctor – has seen no concerns going forward.

There was a thought the Tigers could seek a pay cut with the No. 1 pick, which would afford them an opportunity to spend more lavishly on impact players in the later rounds. But that strategy carried risk – those players might not be there at No. 44, the team’s next pick – considered too risky to pass up on the consensus top player in the draft.

The slot value for the No. 1 overall pick is $8,096,300. Once signed, Mize will enter the Tigers’ farm system as one of their top-ranked prospects, another pitcher along with names like Franklin Perez and Beau Burrows and Matt Manning which the team hopes will become the core of their next great teams.

Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the WZZM 13 app now.

Have a news tip? Email news@wzzm13.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter.

Before You Leave, Check This Out