Casey Mize, once a symbol of Detroit’s rebuild and then of its frustrations, is finally getting his moment in the spotlight. As the Tigers head into the All-Star break, Mize has been named to the American League roster–a fitting reward for a resurgent season that has reestablished him as a key piece of Detroit’s future.
He’s not the only Tiger making the trip to Atlanta; Detroit is sending six players, and even bat boy Frankie Boyd–in total: Riley Greene, Gleyber Torres, Javier Báez, Tarik Skubal, Zach McKinstry, and now Mize–tying a franchise record and sending a clear signal that the team’s long rebuild may be over.
“I’m pretty pumped, obviously super grateful,” Mize said. “Long way to go, but I feel like this is pretty validating through hard times.”
The Comeback Story
Drafted first overall in 2018, Mize’s pro debut was delayed by injuries and a major Tommy John surgery in 2022. His big-league debut in 2020 was unremarkable, and the following seasons saw inconsistent results.
Tommy John surgery wipied out nearly two full years of his career and left doubts about whether he’d ever reclaim his top-prospect promise. Even after returning to the mound, he battled rust and inconsistency, struggling to find the sharpness and command that once made him a No. 1 overall draft pick.
The recovery was both physical and mental, testing his patience and resilience as he navigated countless rehab sessions and the uncertainty that comes with a major arm injury. For many fans, it seemed possible that Mize might never fully live up to the high expectations he carried into professional baseball.
“Obviously I wanted to get my health back, and even when I came back, I wasn’t quite as sharp as I wanted to be,” Mize said.
But 2025 has flipped the script. Mize, the Tigers’ No. 5 starter this season, has rebounded with a 9-3 record and a 3.15 ERA entering mid-July. Despite lacking a true swing‑and‑miss “out” pitch, his mix of fastballs, sharp splitter, slider, and curve has effectively limited hard contact.
“The pride that I know he has with not only what he’s done, but the journey to get here and then being rewarded with a trip to Atlanta with his friend Tarik Skubal–his teammates that have watched him have [seen] an incredible season thus far,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said.
His resume includes a solid start against the Guardians, showing significant strides since his return. This resurgence earned him the All‑Star roster spot as a replacement for Boston’s Garrett Crochet.
Tigers Poised for a Second-Half Push
With six All-Stars, the Tigers have announced themselves as serious contenders, not merely a fun upstart. They became the first MLB team to reach 50 wins by late June, powered by consistent production on both sides of the ball. The clubhouse under Hinch exudes a quiet confidence, anchored by leaders like Skubal, Greene, and the revitalized Báez. Detroit has transformed from a rebuilding club into a legitimate force, blending veterans and emerging stars seamlessly.
The All-Star Game in Atlanta will now feature a strong Detroit presence. Mize will likely be used in relief or could snag an inning as a starter, depending on how AL manager Bruce Bochy deploys his staff. Regardless, his inclusion signals respect from peers and coaches across the league. It’s a sign that Mize has officially arrived as part of the Tigers’ future, and present.
Mize’s Pitching Arsenal
One of the most fascinating aspects of Mize’s resurgence is how his pitching arsenal has evolved since his pre-surgery days. Before Tommy John surgery, Mize was known for a devastating splitter, but often struggled to command it consistently, leading to high pitch counts and too many walks.
He has since refined that pitch into more of a controlled weapon rather than a wild, wipeout chase pitch. He’s throwing it with better arm speed and keeping it down in the zone, generating weak groundballs rather than hunting for strikeouts alone.
Equally important has been Mize’s willingness to trust his fastball again. Early in his career, he’d lose confidence in the heater if hitters made solid contact, relying too heavily on his splitter. Now, he’s locating the fastball on both edges of the plate and occasionally elevating it for swing-and-miss strikes.
That has set up his slider and curveball, which have also improved in shape and deception. The net result is fewer hard-hit balls, more efficient innings, and a pitcher who looks poised to handle significant innings down the stretch.
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