By Joshua Huff, sports editor
With the Detroit Tigers set to begin spring training on Feb. 11 as pitchers and catchers report to begin the run through the Grapefruit League, Springville’s Casey Mize, along with pitcher Matt Manning, are two of five pitching prospects that have been invited to join the club in Lakeland, Florida, for the start of the 2020 season.
Both of the right-handed pitchers are expected to earn a call up sometime this season, Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila said in December.
Casey Mize. Photo by Joshua Huff.
For the near future, the two will begin the regular season with Triple-A Toledo.
According to Baseball America, Mize enters this season as the No. 4 best overall pitching prospect and the No. 2 best overall right-handed pitching prospect in the nation.
“His pitch mix, advanced control and double-plus splitter paint the picture of a future front-of-the-rotation around whom the Tigers can build,” Baseball America said about Mize.
In 26 games in the minor leagues this past season, Mize ascended from rookie ball, through Class A advanced and into Double A. During that time, Mize went 8-4 with a 2.71 ERA in 123.1 innings pitched. He had 120 strikeouts and allowed just 26 walks. Baseball Prospectus named Mize the top prospect in the Tigers’ system.
Mize began the 2019 season as a member of Single-A Lakeland, where he made six starts. He allowed just 17 of 107 batters to reach base while striking out 30. His 0.88 ERA and 0.552 WHIP forced the Tigers to promote him before the first month of the season came to a close.
In his first appearance in Double A, Mize threw a no-hitter for the Erie SeaWolves, which earned him the Performance of the Year as voted on by MiLB.com. In all, Casey would make fifteen starts for Double-A Erie. He recorded a 6-3 record with a 3.20 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP, with seventy-six strikeouts over 78.2 innings pitched.
According to one scout with the Detroit Tigers’ organization, Mize “is going to be at the top of the rotation in a couple seasons. … For me, he’s a candidate for the fifth spot coming into spring training. … He’s got three above-average pitches already.”
Mize recently returned to Springville to witness his legacy become encased in Tigers’ lore as his jersey was retired before a packed house just prior to the start of the Center Point vs. Springville boys’ basketball game.
“Casey is here tonight for us to honor him,” Springville baseball head coach Jonathan Ford said of Mize. “For all of his accomplishments while at Springville, at Auburn and is still progressing in his professional career. But most importantly, to honor the type of man that he is and the legacy that he will leave behind here at Springville.”
Detroit opens exhibition play on Friday, Feb. 21 vs. Southeastern University.
