Casey Mize – Detroit Tigers Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Casey Mize came into the big leagues as the Detroit Tigers’ No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. He’s faced some tough injury setbacks along the way, but he’s still going, working to carve out a spot in Detroit’s rotation.

Recently, Mize locked in his financial security with the Tigers, signing a one-year, $2.34 million contract for the 2025 season. That move helped both sides avoid arbitration. It’s a solid deal for a guy who’s still trying to prove himself after some rough patches.

His current contract guarantees him $2.34 million for 2025. Previously, he played under an $830,000 deal for 2024, and there was talk of a $3.1 million club option for 2025. The Tigers decided to go another direction, but they clearly still believe in the Auburn University standout, even after all the injuries.

Mize’s career earnings are still growing, but right now his net worth sits around $9.65 million. He’s slotted as the fifth starter in Detroit’s 2025 rotation. This season could be the big comeback he’s been hoping for—a shot at finally living up to that top draft billing.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball Career

Casey Mize grew up in Springville, Alabama, born on May 1, 1997. He started making noise in baseball circles early on, showing real promise through high school and college.

High School Achievements

At Springville High School, Mize stood out as a pitcher. He had great control and threw with some real heat.

His senior year, he put up numbers that got college scouts paying close attention.

Some of his high school highlights:

• All-State selection
• County Player of the Year
• Sub-2.00 ERA in his final season
• Multiple no-hitters

Even with all that, MLB teams didn’t view him as a top draft prospect out of high school. That gave him the chance to play college ball and really raise his stock.

College Baseball at Auburn University

Once he got to Auburn University, Mize took his game up a notch. His sophomore and junior years, in particular, put him on the national radar.

Check out his college stats:

He became known for his pinpoint control, posting one of the best strikeout-to-walk ratios in recent college baseball history. His splitter, honestly, was nasty.

Recognition as a Top Prospect

By his junior year, Mize had become the clear top prospect in college baseball. Scouts loved his four-pitch mix and command.

He racked up a bunch of honors:

• 2018 SEC Pitcher of the Year
• Golden Spikes Award finalist
• First-team All-American
• Multiple National Pitcher of the Week awards

MLB draft analysts put him at the top of their boards for 2018. His blend of polish and potential made him hard to pass up.

The Detroit Tigers picked Mize first overall in the 2018 MLB Draft. He became the first Auburn player ever to go No. 1.

Professional Career and MLB Achievements

Casey Mize came into Major League Baseball with a lot of hype after the Tigers drafted him. He’s had his flashes, dealt with injuries, and keeps working to make his mark at the highest level.

MLB Draft and Signing with the Detroit Tigers

The Tigers grabbed Casey Mize with the first pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. That made him Auburn’s highest-drafted player ever.

He signed for a $7.5 million bonus, a bit under slot value but still a huge payday for a rookie. The Tigers’ front office saw him as a key piece of their rebuild, thanks to his advanced arsenal and command.

After signing, Mize jumped into the Tigers’ farm system, starting at Class A Lakeland. He moved up quickly because of his polish and his wicked splitter.

Debut Performance and Early Seasons

Mize made his MLB debut on August 19, 2020, against the White Sox in that weird pandemic season. He went 4.1 innings, gave up three runs, and struck out seven.

The 2021 season was his first real shot at a full year in the majors. Mize finished with a 3.71 ERA over 150.1 innings. He put together a nice stretch of 13 straight starts allowing three runs or fewer.

His fastball sat in the mid-90s, and while his splitter stayed his go-to pitch, he worked in a slider and cutter that helped him handle big-league hitters.

Notable Games and Performance Highlights

On April 12, 2021, Mize threw seven scoreless innings against the Astros, giving up just four hits and striking out five. He showed he could handle a tough lineup.

A few weeks later, on May 17, 2021, he nearly went the distance against the Mariners—7.2 innings, three hits, one run, and not a single walk. He threw 66 strikes out of 95 pitches.

Mize developed a knack for getting weak contact. In 2021, he ranked in the top 25% of pitchers for barrel percentage, meaning hitters struggled to square him up even if he wasn’t racking up strikeouts.

He also pitched especially well against AL Central rivals, posting a 3.25 ERA against division opponents early in his career.

Injuries, Comebacks, and Career Progression

Things took a bad turn in April 2022 when Mize landed on the injured list with a right elbow sprain. That led to Tommy John surgery, and he missed almost all of 2022 and the entire 2023 season.

He spent months rehabbing at the Tigers’ facility in Lakeland, Florida. Mize worked hard on his mechanics and arm strength, sticking to the team’s plan for his return.

He came back to Detroit’s rotation for the 2024 season, but the team kept a close eye on his innings and workload. His current contract at $2,340,000 reflects his status as a talented pitcher trying to bounce back.

Despite everything, the Tigers still see Mize as a key part of their future. His draft pedigree, early flashes, and pitching smarts keep him in the mix as Detroit tries to build a contender.

Contract History and Salary Details

Casey Mize’s financial path with the Tigers has changed a lot since they drafted him first overall in 2018. He’s gone from rookie deals to injury setbacks to a new contract after arbitration talks.

Initial MLB Contract and Signing Bonus

When the Tigers picked Mize No. 1 in 2018, they signed him to a hefty signing bonus—about $7.5 million. That was just under the slot value for the top pick.

His first MLB contract followed the usual pattern for first-rounders. When he debuted on August 19, 2020, against the White Sox, he earned close to the league minimum.

Early on, his paychecks were modest by pro sports standards. He was making the league minimum as he got established in the rotation in 2021.

Arbitration and Salary Progression

Injuries made things tricky for Mize’s salary progression. After a promising first full season, he needed Tommy John surgery in 2022, which definitely slowed down his earning power during those pre-arbitration years.

Even while hurt, Mize stayed on the Tigers’ 40-man roster and kept building up service time. That helped him get closer to arbitration even though he wasn’t pitching.

When he became arbitration-eligible, his rehab progress and previous numbers played a big role in his value. It was his first shot at a real salary jump.

Recent Contract Updates and 2024 Season

In January 2025, Mize and the Tigers avoided arbitration and agreed to a one-year, $2.34 million contract. That’s a big bump from his previous salary and shows the team still believes in his upside, even after all the injuries.

Some sources list his 2024 salary a bit differently—SalarySport had it at $734,200—but either way, his pay jumped heading into 2025.

Mize’s net worth is now estimated at $9.65 million, including his career earnings and that big signing bonus. How he performs in 2025 will go a long way in deciding his future earnings—whether that’s with Detroit or somewhere else down the line.

Net Worth, Endorsements, and Financial Profile

Casey Mize has done well for himself financially, thanks mostly to his baseball contracts, but also a bit from endorsements. His career so far shows how tricky it can be to build wealth in pro sports, especially when injuries get in the way.

Estimated Net Worth and Income Sources

Mize’s net worth sits at about $9.65 million. Most of that comes from his deals with the Tigers.

For 2024, Mize made a $2.34 million salary, a nice raise from his earlier years.

His contract also has a 2025 club option for $3.1 million, so there’s a bit of security if the team picks it up. Here’s a quick look at his recent earnings:

• 2023: $734,200
• 2024: $840,000 (some reports say $2.34 million)
• 2025: $3.1 million (club option)

That first-overall signing bonus in 2018 made a big difference early on.

Endorsements and Sponsorships

Mize has endorsement deals, mostly with equipment and apparel companies. Being a former No. 1 pick still gives him some marketing power, even though injuries slowed him down.

Most of his sponsorship money probably comes from baseball gear deals. The exact numbers aren’t public, but these endorsements help round out his income.

He’s kept his endorsement profile pretty low-key. You won’t see him in a bunch of big national ads—he seems to focus on baseball-related partnerships and getting back to full strength. That’s probably smart, honestly, given where he’s at in his career.

Lifestyle and Financial Management

Mize seems to take a fairly conservative approach with his finances, especially when you compare him to other pro athletes. You won’t find stories about him splurging on wild purchases or chasing after flashy investments in the headlines.

He probably puts his money into the usual athlete stuff—real estate, stocks, maybe some bonds—but honestly, he hasn’t shared much about the details. Since injuries have popped up in his career, it makes sense that he’d want to plan carefully and avoid risky moves.

Living in Detroit helps, too. The city’s cost of living is lower than what you’d find in a lot of other MLB cities, so his paycheck stretches a bit more. That, plus the kind of financial advice most first-round draft picks get, puts Mize in a solid spot even if things on the field get bumpy.

When he’s in the public eye—like on Yahoo Sports—he keeps the focus on his game and recovery, not his bank account. That says a lot about where his head’s at.

Personal Life and Off-Field Activities

Casey Mize juggles his big-league baseball career with a personal life that’s actually pretty full. He’s got strong family connections, gives back to the community, and has interests that go way beyond the pitcher’s mound.

Family, Background, and Education

Born and raised in Springville, Alabama, Mize found his love for baseball early on. He went to Springville High School and managed to stand out both in class and on the field.

Auburn University came calling with a scholarship, and he took it. While he studied business, he also turned himself into one of the top pitchers in college baseball.

In 2019, he married his longtime girlfriend, Tali. Even as his career heats up, they’ve kept most of their personal life out of the spotlight.

He often mentions how much his parents shaped his work ethic and attitude. His dad especially played a big part, catching for him during those endless practice sessions.

Philanthropy and Community Involvement

After joining the Detroit Tigers, Mize really leaned into giving back. He jumps into the Tigers’ community outreach efforts, showing up for hospital visits and running youth baseball clinics around Michigan.

He’s got a soft spot for education, too. Mize set up a scholarship fund for students in Springville, hoping to help other young athletes chase down a college education while playing ball.

When the season’s over, he heads back to Auburn to mentor college pitchers. That chance to help out at his old school clearly means a lot to him.

Mize and his wife also pitch in for children’s charities in Detroit, especially groups that give underprivileged kids a shot to play sports.

Interests Beyond Baseball

When he’s not on the mound, Mize loves spending time outdoors. He goes fishing and hunting whenever he can. Honestly, these activities help him clear his head and escape the constant grind of pro sports.

He’s also gotten into business investments, maybe thanks to what he studied in college. In a few interviews, he admitted he keeps an eye on the financial markets. He likes digging into new investment ideas for life after baseball—who can blame him?

Golf is another big part of his downtime. Mize often hits the course with teammates on his off-days. It keeps his competitive spirit alive and, let’s be real, it’s a great way to bond with the guys.

You’ll also find him gaming, especially on long road trips. He’s pretty tech-savvy and uses video games to unwind after tough games or travel days.