The Tigers announced Thursday that top pitching prospect Casey Mize has been promoted to Double-A Erie. Mize, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft, tore through an early assignment to Class-A Advanced, posting a comical 0.35 ERA with a 25-to-1 K/BB ratio in 26 innings of work prior to the promotion. The former Auburn ace, clearly miles ahead of the competition he faced at that first stop, looks to be on a relatively fast track to the big leagues. The 21-year-old (22 on May 1) totaled 128 1/3 innings between college ball and the minor leagues last season, so he may not even be on all that aggressive of an innings cap (although surely the Tigers will exercise some degree of caution as pertains to his workload). Widely regarded as one of the game’s best overall prospects, Mize could put himself in the conversation for a big league promotion this summer or in early 2020, at the latest, assuming things go smoothly in Double-A and Triple-A.
More from the division…
- An MRI revealed no damage in the ailing knee of Indians right-hander Carlos Carrasco, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer writes. Carrasco tweaked the knee in his most recent start against the Marlins while covering first base on a grounder, and while he finished that frame (the fourth), he didn’t return for the fifth. The righty told skipper Terry Francona that the knee had begun to tighten up, and the Cleveland manager understandably opted to go the cautious route. Carrasco is in line to make his next scheduled start on Sunday and seemingly won’t have any limitations placed on him.
- The Royals are cognizant of the fact that Jorge Soler’s work in right field is a work in progress, at best, but the organization plans to continue giving him opportunities to improve, MLB.com’s Jeffrey Flanagan writes. It seems the team believes there’s better glovework to be unlocked with more reps, with Soler possessing the physical tools needed to man the position. The coaching staff is stressing the need for him to take better routes to the ball — particularly when it’s hit over his head. There’s little doubt that Soler’s upside would be maximized by playing on the grass regularly, rather than serving solely as a DH, though he has already logged more than two thousand MLB innings in the outfield without mastering the gig. He’s also pacing the American League with 39 strikeouts and carrying a .288 on-base percentage, which arguably represent larger concerns. Soler is under contract through 2020 under the international free agent contract he originally signed out of Cuba. The out-of-options 27-year-old will be eligible for arbitration for one season thereafter.
Cookie’s knee wasn’t ailing. He bumped it covering first base, that’s all.
Shame too because he was mowing them down, then came out and it all fell apart. Luckily he’ll ok.
Already cleared for next start.
Mize is doing well in Class A Advanced. Perhaps the Tigers should go ahead and sign him to a 10 year extension.
Wow Mize is going to be such a special talent.
Mize, Manning, Faedo, and hopefully Perez soon – Erie will be fun to watch with one of the best starting rotations in the minors
Why do I see shades of Mark Prior here with Casey Mize? Am I crazy, or does someone else see it?
In what way?
How polished Prior was back and how polished Mize seems to be. They both had arm concerns (inverted W arm motion for Prior that Strasburg used to have/has, while Mize throws a splitter which has a reputation for slowing down a pitcher’s fastball.)
“He’s also pacing the American League with 39 strikeouts and carrying a .288 on-base percentage, which arguably represent larger concerns.”
I wouldn’t call that arguable. He’s unplayable if he keeps that up.
Sure. Even with all those detractors he’s right at league average offensively right now. Which is why he’s being given every opportunity to turn it around. It won’t last if he doesn’t stop striking out like that though. That’s the biggest negative right now.
I know its reaching a bit, but i think, should he stay healthy, Mize has the best shot of reaching the HoF of any minors player.
Really? The guy has not yet faced any batters above Class A and you already have him on a HOF trajectory. That is possibly the worst case of jumping the gun I have ever seen here and that is really saying something.
I mean picking someone out of the minors to reach the hall of fame is the most ridiculous thing of all. Not that he picked mize….. the fact he picked anyone is the problem
Mize could be in MLB this season – he’s the most polished pitching prospect drafted in decades. He’s arguably ready now but its wise to get him innings at AA and AAA first.
Soler for Wade Davis.,,,,worst trade ever. Wade was worth more than an undeveloped outfielder. He should have been developed by the cubs.
Royals weren’t resigning Davis anyway. Atleast they got something for him. Demote Soler and let him develop or trade him.
Did you miss the part he is out of options? That was the reason the cubs traded him in the first place he was out of options. Try to keep up
Really Matt? Out of options by the time ChiC traded him? Please explain then his (Soler) being optioned to Omaha in both June & July of 2017?
Maybe you shouldn’t jump the gun when being a snarky jerk but I digress….
I think Jermaine dye trade was worst ever just saying.