Casey Mize: From No. 1 Draft Pick to 2026 Trade Deadline Buzz
3 min read
Quick Answer
Casey Mize is a right-handed pitcher who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, currently playing for the Detroit Tigers. After Tommy John surgery in 2022 and missing the entire 2023 season, Mize has bounced back to post the best numbers of his career in 2026 (a 2.70 ERA), making him one of the most talked-about names on the trade market ahead of the August 3 deadline.
From the Draft to the Big Leagues
Casey Mize was born in May 1997 in Alabama, and he made a name for himself as a standout college pitcher at Auburn University. That performance led the Detroit Tigers to select him as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, signing him for a bonus worth roughly $7.5 million. Mize made his major league debut in August 2020, though his start wasn't smooth — he posted a 6.99 ERA during that short, pandemic-shortened rookie season.
The 2021 season offered real hope, as Mize delivered a much more consistent performance with a 3.71 ERA across 150.1 innings, cementing his status as one of the organization's most promising young arms.
The Injury That Changed Everything: Tommy John Surgery
In 2022, Mize suffered a serious elbow injury that forced him to undergo Tommy John surgery in June of that year, sidelining him for the entire 2023 season. This type of injury is among the toughest setbacks a pitcher can face, often requiring a full year or more of recovery.
Mize returned to the mound in 2024, though his performance hadn't yet returned to pre-injury form — he posted a 4.49 ERA and was also sidelined by a hamstring strain that landed him on the 60-day injured list in July of that year.
2025: The True Breakout Season
The 2025 season marked a clear turning point in Mize's career, as he delivered his best numbers yet in terms of wins and durability. He finished with a 14-6 record, a 3.87 ERA across 149 innings, and 139 strikeouts. That standout performance earned him his first All-Star selection in the American League, boosting his trade value heading into a pivotal contract year.
2026: Career-Best Numbers Amid a String of Injuries
Mize signed a one-year, $6.15 million contract with the Tigers in January 2026 — his final year of salary arbitration before reaching free agency. Despite dealing with a string of physical issues throughout the season — including a right adductor strain in April, adductor inflammation in May, and a hand injury after being hit by a comebacker clocked at over 108 mph during a July game —
The "Precautionary Scratch" Ahead of the Trade Deadline
In late July 2026, the Tigers' decision to scratch Mize from a scheduled start against Oakland sparked plenty of speculation. Multiple reports, including The Detroit News and MLB Trade Rumors, made clear that the move was purely a precautionary trade-deadline decision — not the result of a new injury — and that no deal was actually in
Will Mize Be Traded? The Picture Remains Unclear
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Casey Mize?
He's a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft, currently playing for the Detroit Tigers.
Why did Mize miss the entire 2023 season?
He underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2022 after suffering an elbow injury, requiring a lengthy recovery that kept him out for all of 2023.
Why was Mize scratched from his July 2026 start?
According to reliable reports, the decision was a precautionary move tied to the trade deadline and aimed at protecting his trade value — not the result of a new injury. Reports also confirmed no trade was actually in place at the time of the scratch.
Has Mize's trade to another team been confirmed?
No. As of this writing, there's no official confirmation of any trade, and reports of interest from teams like the Cubs remain speculative.
What are Mize's key stats for the 2026 season?
Through the end of July, he posted a career-best 2.70 ERA, a 0.99 WHIP, and a 4-6 record across 16 starts.
Recommended For You
Olivia Colman Falls for a Man Made of Wicker in Wild New Trailer
The first trailer for "Wicker" has arrived, and it's exactly as strange and charming as it sounds — Olivia Colman falls in love with a husband made entirely of woven wicker.
Andy Beshear Demands Mitch McConnell Prove He Can Serve — or Resign
Kentucky's governor sent Senator Mitch McConnell a sharply worded letter demanding he publicly prove his fitness to serve after 43 days out of the Senate.