DETROIT – Former Auburn All-American and No. 1 overall pick Casey Mize has been called up to the Detroit Tigers from the organization's taxi squad and is scheduled to make his MLB debut this week, the club announced Monday.
Mize is slated to start against the White Sox Wednesday, August 19 at 7:10 p.m. CT at Chicago's Guaranteed Rate Field. He will become the 52nd Auburn baseball alum to play in the major leagues, including head coach Butch Thompson's 15th former pitcher and the ninth since 2014 to make his MLB debut.
After being selected with the first pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, Mize has turned in an 8-4 record and 2.71 ERA in 26 minor league starts. He has struck out 120 batters and issued 26 walks in 123.0 innings of work. The Springville, Alabama, native's minor league career has been highlighted by a no-hitter turned in during his Double-A debut with the Erie SeaWolves on Apr. 29, 2019.
Casey Mize signs his pro contract with the Detroit Tigers (credit: Detroit Tigers).
Mize finished his Auburn career as one of the most decorated players in program history, becoming the Tigers' second two-time and consensus All-American in 2018. He earned First Team All-SEC and NCBWA District 3 Player of the Year honors and was also named a finalist for the Dick Howser Trophy and Golden Spikes Award in his final season.
The right-hander posted a 20-13 career record and 2.96 ERA in three seasons in an Auburn uniform. He struck out 324 batters, including a career- and league-high 156 as a junior in 2018, and ranks fourth in program history in the category. Like his time in the minor leagues, Mize's college career was highlighted by a no-hitter turned in vs. Northeastern on Mar. 9, 2018.
Mize has earned a non-roster invite to Detroit's spring training in each of the last two seasons. He is rated by MLB Pipeline as the No. 8 prospect in baseball, including the top-rated right-handed pitcher.