Justin Verlander, first-round pick, AL Rookie of the Year in 2006. Michael Fulmer, first-round pick, AL Rookie of the Year in 2016. Casey Mize, first-round pick ...
AL Pitcher of the Month in May of 2021?
Mize is trending that way, and maybe he's trending toward something more. The rookie mowed down the Mariners in the best start of his young career Monday night, allowing one run on three hits and three walks with seven strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings to lift the Tigers to a 4-1 win. A tone-setter in Seattle.
That's four quality starts in a row for Mize, the last three of which have resulted in wins for Detroit. He's 2-0 with a 1.83 ERA and a 0.915 WHIP in three starts this month. And after a rocky start to the season, Mize's 3.69 ERA now ranks third among AL rookies who've made at least five starts.
His gem on Monday put him in the company of the two guys we mentioned at the top. Mize became the third Tigers rookie since 2006 to take the mound and go at least 7 2/3 innings and allow three hits or fewer. Verlander did it once in 2006, Fulmer did it twice in 2016. Both were All-Stars the next season.
Had Mize recorded one more out Monday, he'd stand alone with Verlander. But he was pulled after 95 pitches, in part because he allowed a leadoff homer to start the eighth. Mize struck out the next two batters, but A.J. Hinch didn't want him going any longer. Plus, the Mariners' leadoff hitter -- lefty Jarred Kelenic -- was up next and Gregory Soto was ready in the bullpen.
Not that Mize agreed with Hinch's decision.
"I got back to the dugout and I said, 'Hey, I know I could’ve got him,'" Mize said. "And he said, 'I know you could’ve, but we have a guy that’s literally paid to get lefties out and be in this position.'
"Honestly, he said something else, too. He said, 'It’s not my fault, it’s yours. You gave up the leadoff homer.' Which is true, so that changes my perspective on it. And I just said, 'Yes sir, I get it.'"
Mize smiled, because it was that kind of night, and because it's slowly becoming that kind of season. He said 'the old me' was coming this year, and the new results are proof. Each start seems to be better than the last, with the next one coming this weekend against the Royals.
"Casey’s a very well-rounded pitcher," said Hinch. "He’s settling in nicely with his approach. Certainly the game is slowing down for him now. On a night like tonight when he’s in full command of the game, it’s nice to see."
Must See? We'll see about that. It takes more than a few good starts to become appointment TV, as it does to win Pitcher of the Month and, dare we say it, Rookie of the Year. But Mize is beginning to do things that place him in the right kind of company for a young pitcher in Detroit.
"He’s been a big starter for us this last little stretch," said Hinch. "And if you want to be a premium guy at this level, if you want to be seen as an anchor of a staff, which we hope he is at some point, you gotta do these things. That’s part of your responsibility."