Wojo: Casey Mize leads the Tigers’ stirring comeback stories
Detroit — This is where they always expected to be, in the middle of Comerica Park, in the midst of winning. But there was a time, not long ago, when virtually nobody expected it anymore. Nobody but them.
If you detect extra joy and renewed purpose in three key Detroit Tigers, then you probably know their back stories, which are morphing into comeback stories. Casey Mize was on the mound on a frigid Monday, baffling the mighty Yankees with his wicked splitter as the Tigers won their fourth straight, 6-2.
They’ve won six of seven and are 6-4 in the young season. April baseball can fool you, but the Tigers are doing many of the things they did on their way to the playoffs last season. They’re doing it with many of the same players, with notable boosts from three who refused to be dismissed — Mize, Spencer Torkelson, Javier Báez.
They’re finding their way back, against the odds and despite the doubts. It could be a crazy fortuitous twist for the Tigers, who lost out on one big-time free-agent, lost several players to injury, and now might be rediscovering pieces they once cherished but were forced to stow away.
Mize, 27, went from baseball’s No. 1 overall pick in 2018 to a guy with a shredded elbow that required Tommy John surgery and nearly two years of rehab. He returned briefly last season, then spent the winter working on his array of pitches, and appears back to form. He threw six innings Monday, allowing one run and four hits, striking out six and walking three. In two starts, he’s 2-0 with a 0.77 ERA.
Remarkably, this was his first victory as a starter in Comerica Park since May 12, 2021. The Yankees came in leading the majors in virtually every offensive category, including a record 25 home runs in nine games. The blowing snow didn’t hamper Mize’s splitter, and he speaks with growing self-assuredness.
“To start the year like this, really positive, especially against one of the best offensive teams in baseball,” Mize said after his 88-pitch effort. “You start getting some funky swings, some swings and misses, that’s how you can tell.”
That’s how he can tell he’s on his way back, which he never doubted would happen. In his first four injury-riddled seasons, he was 9-19. Did he truly believe he’d make it here?
“Yes,” he said, pausing for effect. “I have very high expectations for myself. Always have, always will. Were there moments of doubt, sure? If you take away what I love, which is to play, it’s really difficult to go through that. I’m glad I’m back out here doing it.”
Similar words were spoken by Torkelson, who was baseball’s No. 1 overall pick in 2020. He had one breakout stretch in 2023 when he hit 31 home runs. But the power dissipated, the strikeouts mounted and he spent time in the minors. His MLB batting average (.219) and OPS (.669) plummeted last season and his first-base job was taken away. The Tigers conducted a search for a another righthanded bat, and as it turns out, it might have been Torkelson all along.
He also insists he knew he’d rebound. He’s hitting .289 with a .953 OPS, and like many of his teammates, displaying exceptional discipline with six walks.
The Tigers under AJ Hinch and Scott Harris are alternately criticized and praised for showing patience. When it pays off — if it pays off — a team’s entire outlook can change. I asked Hinch if he was surprised the Tigers’ two 1-1s are picking themselves up.
“It amazes me but doesn’t surprise me,” Hinch said, which sort of makes sense. “You have to let talent play, and you have to let talent develop. And there’s going to be some adversity. Both of those guys know what that feels like. Both of those guys are examples of fighting to make a team and fighting to get prominent innings and at-bats, and they’ve earned it.”
Patience matters (at the plate and in career development). So does performance.
Patience for Báez had run out among Tigers fans, who wondered why he was still around, despite near-historically bad hitting stats last season (.184 average, .515 OPS). His renowned fielding at shortstop had slipped and his throws were adventures. The Tigers declined to eat the final three years and $73 million of his contract and gave him another shot, after he underwent hip surgery.
In seven games, Báez is hitting .318 and has struck out only three times. He hasn’t committed an error, and made a brilliant grab and back-handed flip of Oswaldo Cabrera’s grounder to spark a double-play in the seventh inning Monday.
Báez represents an element the Tigers value as much as any team in baseball — versatility and the eagerness to use it. He plays shortstop, third and in the outfield, and especially enjoys centerfield. He was spectacular in the field and at the plate with three hits in the Tigers’ come-from-behind 4-3 victory against the White Sox Sunday.
“We’re willing to do anything to win,” Hinch said. “And if it takes some of the ego out of it, or some of the pride out of it, we’re all in.”
Fun is the operative word
Fun is the operative word for the Tigers, and not just because they’re in first place. Hinch uses everyone on his roster, which keeps everyone engaged. Pitching chaos is part of it, but there’s also infield chaos and outfield chaos and AL Central chaos.
On this day, Andy Ibáñez made his fourth start at third base and slugged a three-run homer in the third. Justyn-Henry Malloy, called up from Toledo last week, led off and was the designated hitter, and lined a two-run single in the fifth.
Don’t let the Tigers get hot? That was the rallying cry, and once they got hot on Aug. 11, 2024, they went 31-13 the rest of the regular season.
Mize mesmerized the Yankees despite the cold, which made it harder to grip his splitter. Maybe it made it harder for the Yankees to grip their bats — Torpedo brand or otherwise — as they struck out eight times against Mize and three relievers.
How lethal might these Tigers be with their power-packed starting rotation? They send Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal against the Yankees Tuesday, then oft-dominant Jack Flaherty Wednesday.
Hinch refuses to put expectations on players, although Mize already is pushing through his. From the start of spring training, Hinch has had eyes on Mize.
“He has a seriousness to himself, and an edge,” Hinch said. “Because he knew he was pitching for something. From the first bullpen to the first game, he was locked in on a roster spot. You could tell this spring he wanted it badly, and he backed it up.”
And then in thoroughly nasty conditions Monday, Mize racked it up.
“His ability to be tough enough to just mentally hold it together in some really crazy elements, that was really awesome,” Hinch said. “It felt like he pitched in three different seasons — sun came out, then snow, then a little dreary rain. He can handle it.”
If Mize can handle new expectations, which essentially are the same as the old No. 1 pick expectations, look out. The Tigers just might start stacking comebacks, and comeback stories.
Bob.wojnowski@detroitnews.com
@bobwojnowski
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Wojo: Casey Mize leads the Tigers’ stirring comeback stories
