TigsTown Scouting Report #1: RHP Casey Mize

Casey Mize, the top pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, also checks-in as the top prospect in the Tigers farm system.

Casey Mize

Casey Mize pitching for the Flying Tigers

Vitals

Position: Right-Handed PItcher

Date of Birth: 5/1/1997 (Opening Day 2020: 22)

Height/Weight: 6’3”/220 lbs

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Acquired: 2018 MLB Draft, 1st Round, 1st Overall

Scouting Report

The Good: As you might expect from a former #1 overall pick, Mize has plenty of positive attributes; enough to easily justify his lofty status among the best prospects in the game. Mizeowns four pitches that grade above-average or better, all of which he controls exceptionally well. His splitter consistently earns the highest marks from scouts, frequently rating as a double-plus or 70-grade pitch capable of missing bats in any count. He relies heavily on his fastball and cutter throughout his starts, with his fastball able to reach as high as 96-97 mph at times, while routinely sitting in the 92-94 mph range. His ability to move his pitches around the zone and command his fastball and cutter off both edges of the plate make him even more deadly.

The Bad: The biggest knock on Mize at this point remains lingering questions about his durability. Mize missed time during his sophomore season (2017) at Auburn with a flexor strain and was shut down for about a month at Double-A Erie last year with soreness in his shoulder. Outside of those durability concerns, any additional knocks amount to picking nits and pale in comparison to the laundry list of positives in Mize’s profile.

Risk: Aside from the notable, and in many cases inherent, injury risks for young pitchers, Mize has a relatively low risk profile. He’s already found success at Double-A and has plenty of cushion in his profile with a broad array of pitches and strong command profile.

Projection: Mize will head to spring training with a strong chance to anchor the Triple-A Toledo rotation and could see spot starts in Detroit later this year. With health, he easily projects as a dominating, front-of-the-rotation starter.

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