Casey Mize

Casey Mize Bio

Casey Arthur Mize, born on May 1, 1997, is an American professional baseball pitcher who has spent his entire Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers selected him with the first overall pick in the 2018 MLB draft, and he has since developed into a key member of the team’s starting rotation. In 2025, Mize was named to his first All-Star Game, marking a major milestone in his professional journey.

Born in Springville, Alabama, Mize rose to prominence as a top collegiate pitcher at Auburn University before quickly climbing through the minor leagues. He currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Tali. Known for his competitive edge and a refined pitching arsenal, Mize continues to be a central figure in Detroit’s efforts to build a contending roster.

Casey Mize Early Life and Background

Early Life and Background

Casey Arthur Mize was born on May 1, 1997, in Springville, Alabama, a small community in the central part of the state. He grew up in a region where high school baseball serves as a major pathway to college scholarships and professional opportunities. From a young age, Mize displayed a natural feel for pitching, and his size and arm strength quickly made him a standout on local fields.

Mize attended Springville High School, where he became one of the most decorated pitchers in the program’s history. During his high school career, he compiled an impressive 19–2 record, drawing attention from college recruiters across the Southeast. His success on the mound earned him a commitment to Auburn University, one of the premier college baseball programs in the country.

At Auburn, Mize continued to refine his skills and build the foundation for a professional career. He played alongside some of the top amateur talent in the nation, and his time in the Southeastern Conference prepared him for the intensity of professional baseball. The disciplined environment at Auburn, combined with his work ethic, helped shape the pitcher he would later become at the MLB level.

Path to Baseball

Mize’s path to professional baseball began in earnest during his freshman year at Auburn in 2016, when he appeared in 16 games with seven starts. He posted a 3.52 earned run average (ERA) and recorded 59 strikeouts, showing flashes of the talent that would soon make him a top draft prospect. That summer, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the most prestigious amateur leagues in the country.

As a sophomore in 2017, Mize elevated his performance significantly, pitching in 13 games with 12 starts and going 8–2 with a 2.04 ERA. He recorded 109 strikeouts while walking only nine batters, demonstrating exceptional command of the strike zone. After the college season, he joined the United States collegiate national team, gaining valuable experience against elite international competition.

Mize entered the 2018 season as Auburn’s opening day starter, and on March 9, 2018, he threw a no-hitter against the Northeastern Huskies, the ninth in program history. He finished the season 10–6 with a 3.30 ERA and 156 strikeouts over 17 starts, cementing his status as the top pitcher available in that year’s MLB draft. His combination of size, mechanics, and mound presence made him a consensus No. 1 pick.

Casey Mize Career

Early Career (2018–2019)

The Detroit Tigers selected Casey Mize with the first overall pick in the 2018 MLB draft, making him the face of the franchise’s rebuilding effort. On June 25, 2018, he signed with the Tigers and received a $7.5 million signing bonus. Mize made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast Tigers of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, and after one start, he was promoted to the Lakeland Flying Tigers of the High-A Florida State League. He combined for a 0–1 record with a 3.95 ERA in five starts before being shut down for the remainder of the season due to an innings limit.

In 2019, the Tigers invited Mize to spring training as a non-roster player, signaling their confidence in his rapid development. He returned to Lakeland to begin the season and was named the team’s Opening Day starter. After four dominant starts with a 0.35 ERA, Mize was promoted to the Erie SeaWolves of the Double-A Eastern League. In his first start for Erie, he tossed a no-hitter against the Altoona Curve, striking out seven batters in a 1–0 victory. His promising season was cut short on June 15, when he was placed on the 7-day injured list with shoulder inflammation.

MLB Debut and Early Major League Years (2020–2021)

On August 19, 2020, Mize was promoted to the major leagues by the Tigers and made his MLB debut that evening against the Chicago White Sox. He threw 73 pitches over 4⅓ innings, allowing three earned runs while striking out seven and walking none in a no-decision. On September 11, also against the White Sox, Mize carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before a double by Yolmer Sánchez ended the bid. He appeared in seven games during the shortened 2020 season, compiling a 0–3 record with a 6.99 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 28⅓ innings.

In 2021, Tigers manager A. J. Hinch announced that Mize would be part of the starting rotation to begin the season. On April 12, Mize earned his first major league win, throwing seven scoreless innings in a 6–2 victory over the Houston Astros. On August 24, against the St. Louis Cardinals, he made his major league debut as a batter and collected an RBI on a bases-loaded walk while also earning the win with five scoreless innings. Mize made 30 starts in 2021, posting a 7–9 record and a 3.71 ERA with 118 strikeouts in 150⅓ innings.

Injury and Recovery (2022–2023)

Mize began the 2022 season as the No. 2 starter in the Tigers rotation, but on April 15, he was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right elbow sprain. The injury proved serious, and on June 10, he was transferred to the 60-day injured list. It was later revealed that Mize required Tommy John surgery, which prematurely ended his 2022 season. He did not pitch in a professional game in 2023 as he continued his recovery from the procedure.

Return to Form (2024)

Entering the 2024 season, Mize made the Tigers’ Opening Day roster as part of the rotation, beating out Matt Manning for one of the final spots. He was named the team’s No. 5 starter and made his first 16 starts of the year before being placed on the 15-day injured list with a left hamstring strain on July 3. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on July 29 before being activated on August 30. Mize finished the 2024 season with a 2–6 record, a 4.49 ERA, and 78 strikeouts in 102⅓ innings. In November 2024, the Tigers declined his $3.1 million option for 2025, making him arbitration eligible.

Breakthrough Season (2025)

On January 9, 2025, the Tigers and Mize agreed to a one-year, $2.34 million contract, avoiding arbitration. He made the 2025 rotation as the No. 5 starter but quickly emerged as one of the team’s most reliable arms. On May 10, the Tigers placed him on the 15-day injured list with a strained left hamstring, but he was activated on May 24 and started against the Cleveland Guardians that evening. On July 11, Mize was added to the 2025 MLB All-Star Game roster as a replacement for Garrett Crochet. At the time of his selection, he was 9–2 with a 2.63 ERA. He finished the 2025 season with a 14–6 record, a 3.87 ERA, and 139 strikeouts in 149 innings pitched.

Detroit Tigers Era (2020–Present)

Casey Mize has been with the Detroit Tigers since making his MLB debut in 2020, and he remains a foundational piece of the franchise’s pitching staff. On January 6, 2026, the Tigers and Mize agreed on a one-year, $6.15 million contract, avoiding arbitration and signaling their commitment to the former No. 1 overall pick. His journey from a top draft selection to an All-Star pitcher reflects years of perseverance through injuries and rehabilitation.

Driving Style and Strengths

Mize throws a four-seam fastball averaging 93–96 MPH that tops out at 98 MPH, along with a sinking two-seam fastball that averages 92–95 MPH. His primary offspeed pitch is a splitter in the 84–88 MPH range, though he has added velocity to it in 2025, frequently throwing it at 90 MPH or higher. He also throws a slider averaging 86 MPH and an occasional curveball averaging 84 MPH, giving him a well-rounded arsenal that allows him to attack hitters in multiple ways.

Notable Events and Milestones

Among Mize’s most notable achievements is his selection as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 MLB draft, a moment that set the stage for his professional career. He threw a no-hitter in his first start for the Erie SeaWolves in 2019 and was named to his first MLB All-Star Game in 2025. His recovery from Tommy John surgery and return to All-Star form stand as a testament to his resilience and dedication to the craft of pitching.

Casey Mize Career Wins

Casey Mize has accumulated 25 career MLB wins, as recorded through the 2026 season, establishing himself as a reliable starting pitcher for the Detroit Tigers. His first major league victory came on April 12, 2021, against the Houston Astros, and his most recent standout season came in 2025, when he posted a 14–6 record.

MLB Highlights

Mize earned his first major league win on April 12, 2021, throwing seven scoreless innings in a 6–2 victory over the Houston Astros. He followed that with a strong 2021 campaign in which he made 30 starts and struck out 118 batters in 150⅓ innings. His 2025 season represented his finest work, as he was named to the All-Star Game and finished with a 14–6 record, a 3.87 ERA, and 139 strikeouts in 149 innings.

Other Wins and Performances

During his time in the minor leagues, Mize posted a combined 0–1 record with a 3.95 ERA in five starts across the Gulf Coast League and the Florida State League in 2018. In 2019, he was dominant in four starts for Lakeland with a 0.35 ERA before earning a promotion to Erie, where he threw a no-hitter in his first start. He also pitched in the Cape Cod Baseball League and represented the United States collegiate national team, showcasing his talents on multiple amateur stages.

Casey Mize Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Casey Mize grew up in Springville, Alabama, where he developed his love for baseball in a close-knit community. His path to professional baseball was shaped by his commitment to Auburn University, where he played college baseball for the Auburn Tigers and built the foundation for his MLB career.

Personal Life

Casey Mize married his wife, Tali, in 2019, and the couple currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee. Mize has kept much of his personal life private, focusing public attention on his career and commitment to the Detroit Tigers organization.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season represented a turning point in Casey Mize’s career, as he emerged as one of the most reliable starters in the Detroit Tigers rotation. After agreeing to a one-year, $2.34 million contract in January, he made the Opening Day roster as the No. 5 starter and quickly exceeded expectations. He was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 10 with a strained left hamstring, but he was activated on May 24 and returned to the mound against the Cleveland Guardians that evening.

Mize’s midseason performance earned him his first career All-Star selection, as he was added to the 2025 MLB All-Star Game roster on July 11 as a replacement for Garrett Crochet. At the time of his selection, he was 9–2 with a 2.63 ERA, a testament to his consistency and dominance on the mound. His All-Star nod highlighted the progress he had made since returning from Tommy John surgery and signaled his arrival as a frontline starter.

Mize finished the 2025 season with a 14–6 record, a 3.87 ERA, and 139 strikeouts in 149 innings pitched, providing stability at the back end of Detroit’s rotation. His performance helped anchor the Tigers’ pitching staff and set the stage for a new contract in 2026. With momentum on his side and his health restored, Mize entered the 2026 season as a foundational piece of Detroit’s plans and a pitcher capable of leading the franchise into its next competitive window.