Casey Mize Thrives: The Detroit Tigers’ Long-Awaited Star Emerges

Casey Mize, once the Tigers’ top prospect and first overall pick, turned back the clock Saturday night against the Cleveland Guardians. The right-hander tossed seven scoreless innings, flashing that rare blend of control and efficiency that’s become the talk of his 2025 comeback.

For Mize, who’s battled through more than his fair share of adversity, this outing felt like another big step. He’s looking more and more like the ace Detroit hoped for when they drafted him in 2018.

Casey Mize’s 2025 Comeback: A Story of Resilience

Mize’s return to the Tigers’ rotation has been nothing short of wild. After dealing with a string of injuries, including Tommy John surgery, he’s come back with a new approach and, honestly, a new vibe on the mound.

This July, he’s been especially sharp, putting up a 2.63 ERA across his starts. In six straight outings, he’s held opponents to two or fewer earned runs. That says a lot about how much he’s grown.

Saturday, he threw 102 pitches—his highest count since 2021. Mize handled tough moments with a calm you just can’t fake, showing off the mental toughness he’s built up over the years.

What’s Fueling Mize’s Resurgence?

This past offseason, Mize didn’t just hope for better results—he got to work. He teamed up with Driveline and Maven Baseball, focusing on sharpening his slider and strengthening his signature splitter.

He also doubled down on fastball command, and it’s paid off. His first-pitch strike rate has jumped to a career-best 69.7%, letting him get ahead early and dictate at-bats.

Sure, his strikeout rate sits at a modest 7.67 K/9, but he’s leaned into his command and efficiency to keep hitters guessing. Maybe some advanced metrics still hesitate on his stuff, but you can’t argue with the results.

Detroit’s 11-4 in his starts, and Mize himself is 9-2. That’s not a fluke—it’s a guy figuring it out and delivering when it counts.

Understanding the Evolution of Casey Mize

Catcher Jake Rogers has watched Mize’s transformation up close since 2019. Rogers points to Mize’s grit and relentless work ethic as the real difference-makers.

It’s not just about one big night against the Guardians. It’s the slow grind, the tweaks, the hard days that add up. Injuries, especially Tommy John, could have ended things, but Mize used them as fuel for growth.

Manager A.J. Hinch praised Mize after the game, not just for the performance, but for the long road it took to get here. Hinch made it clear: Mize is a huge piece for this team, anchoring a rotation that’s hungry to compete in the AL Central.

What’s Next for Mize and the Tigers?

With the 2025 season more than halfway done, the Tigers have found themselves in a solid spot, thanks in no small part to Mize’s resurgence. As Detroit scraps for postseason relevance, the 26-year-old righty has become their go-to arm, showing up with consistency when it matters most.

The rotation’s been a question mark for a while, but with Mize eating innings and keeping games close, the Tigers have a real shot every time he takes the mound.

Some folks doubted Mize could ever live up to that first overall pick hype. Now, he’s starting to quiet those voices. If he keeps refining his pitches and building on this year’s success, it’s hard not to see him as a key piece in Detroit’s push for October baseball.

Takeaways from Mize’s Stellar Season

Casey Mize’s 2025 season has really hammered home a few things: resilience, consistency, and adaptability are just as important as pure talent. He’s showing us all what a comeback can look like.

• Stable Command: He’s thrown a career-high 69.7% first-pitch strikes this year. That’s set the tone for everything else he’s done.
• Reliable Results: Over his last six starts, Mize has allowed two or fewer earned runs each time. That level of consistency is tough to come by.
• Team Impact: The Tigers have gone 11-4 in games Mize starts. He’s made himself pretty much indispensable in Detroit’s rotation.
• Durability Milestone: His 102-pitch outing against Cleveland was his longest since 2021. Honestly, that’s a big deal for his health and confidence.

Tigers fans have started to see Mize grow into a reliable front-line starter. If you’re following Detroit, he’s probably the guy you’re watching right now, chasing something special as the season rolls on.

 
Here is the source article for this story: This is the Casey Mize the Detroit Tigers have been waiting to see