Mize delivers eight scoreless frames
To hear Double-A Erie manager Mike Rabelo tell it, Casey Mize sounds like the dream for any baseball coach."If you were to put together a blueprint on how to be a pro, Casey Mize would be on the cover of that," Rabelo said.
To hear Double-A Erie manager Mike Rabelo tell it, Casey Mize sounds like the dream for any baseball coach.
"If you were to put together a blueprint on how to be a pro, Casey Mize would be on the cover of that," Rabelo said.
The top Tigers prospect dominated again Sunday afternoon, scattering four hits while striking out six over eight frames as the SeaWolves shut out the Baysox, 3-0, at UPMC Park.
Mize (4-0) retired the first eight batters before a two-out single by Chris Clare in the third inning. Walks to Orioles No. 30 prospectMason McCoy and seventh-ranked Ryan McKenna loaded the bases, but MLB.com's sixth overall prospect induced a groundout from Baltimore's No. 5 prospect Austin Hays to end the threat.
"That's where I just try to stay within myself, take some breaths in between pitches and slow the game down because it can get sped up on you pretty quick," Mize told local media after the game. "I just knew I had to make some quality pitches."
McKenna led off the sixth with a single, but was quickly erased when Hays grounded into a double play. That was the last action on the basepaths against the 22-year-old, he sat down the next seven to complete his outing.
"I think my stuff got better as the game went on, so that's definitely a positive sign," Mize told the media. "I would have liked to have it earlier, but I'm lucky that I had it at all."
Gameday box score
The first overall pick in 2018 out of Auburn has thrown 14 straight scoreless innings. On May 20 against Hartford, Mize allowed three hits and struck out six while putting up six zeros.
What makes Mize so difficult for opposing hitters, Rabelo said, is simply his stuff.
"He's got four really good pitches and he commands them all. He can throw them any time he wants," the manager said. "When you do that, golly, you're making a hitter's life tough. He's throwing his splitter, his slider, he's locating his fastball north, south, east, west. He's getting ahead in the count. He field his position well. In the short time I have seen him, he has done everything."
Mize's 0.57 WHIP leads the Eastern League while his 1.40 ERA stands second to Binghamton's Anthony Kay (1.07). Over 64 2/3 innings between Erie and Class A Advanced Lakeland, The Alabama native has allowed just seven earned runs, striking out 60 while holding opponents to a .135 average.
"Numbers aside, this kid gets it," Rabelo said. "He's mature beyond his age. He's very meticulous in everything he does whether he's doing his arm-care prevention stuff, his routine in the bullpen, even when watching tape. This guy is everything you would want from one of your prospects."
Even when Mize isn't at the top of his game, Rabelo is quick to add that the right-hander stays on course, pointing out his line against Altoona on May 10 -- five innings, seven hits, two earned runs -- as evidence.
"He no-hit them earlier," Rabelo said, noting Mize's feat on April 29. "They came out bushwhacking in early counts, a couple of balls found the hole. I wouldn't exactly call it struggling."
The manager is certain big things lie ahead for Mize and his Eastern League stint is just another notch on his belt.
"I know I keep giving you a cliche answer, but he's a pro," Rabelo said. "I say this every time that I talk a writer or reporter, he gets it. He uses the Minor Leagues as a stepping stone to get to the big leagues and he's going to be a front end of the rotation guy. He does everything you ask."
Detroit's No. 19 prospect Bryan Garcia earned the save, striking out two in a perfect ninth.
Jose Azocar -- the club's 30th-ranked prospected -- provided all the offense for the SeaWolves with a three-run homer over the right-field wall in the eighth.
Brian Stultz is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @brianjstultz.
Minor League Baseball partners with TruGreen
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- TruGreen, the nation's leading lawn care treatment provider, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Minor League Baseball that includes activations across all 120 clubs, a makeover of the home dugout in each market, sponsorship of select MiLB team grounds crews, and a new initiative called
Podcast explains why the Syracuse Mets are looking for Jim Morrison
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Dash im-prom-tu promo and Mets' Suero joins the podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two
Rox young sluggers aim to bring pop back to Coors Field
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Coors Field may provide the best run-scoring environment in Major League Baseball, but the Rockies haven’t taken advantage of it in recent years. Even without adjusting for Coors, they have fielded offenses worse than the league average the past three seasons, and they scored the fewest runs
Astros brass sees potential in consistently 'underranked' farm system
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The last time the Astros landed in the top 10 of MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings was before the 2019 season. Since those rankings expanded to all 30 teams ahead of the 2020 season -- 11 lists in total -- they’ve never ranked higher than
Complete results and highlights from Spring Breakout
The second edition of MLB Spring Breakout is complete, and there was no shortage of highlights from the future stars of Major League Baseball over the four-day showcase. Here's a complete breakdown of the 16-game exhibition:
Southpaw Spring Breakout: White Sox future on display with Schultz, Smith
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If all goes as planned for the White Sox, left-handers Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz won’t spend much time following each other to the mound in a single game. Schultz, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 16 overall, per MLB Pipeline, and Smith, who is
In first pro game, Rainer offers pop, promise to Tigers fans
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Bryce Rainer’s pro career consisted of workouts and batting practice until Sunday.
'Me and Brady on the dirt again': House, King reunite at Spring Breakout
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The 2025 Spring Breakout was a flashback for Brady House and Seaver King. Over 10 years ago, the infielders were travel ball teammates in Georgia who shared the dream of making it to the Major Leagues. Now, they are top prospects in the same organization,
Lambert -- 'an adrenaline guy' -- hoping to be next Mets bullpen gem
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Ryan Lambert loves throwing hard. He relishes the idea of getting to two strikes and blowing hitters away. “Get me in a game,” Lambert said, “cool things will happen.”
Stewart embraces Spring Breakout: 'What's not to love?'
PHOENIX -- Sal Stewart was one fired-up Reds prospect. On Sunday in the first inning during the organization's 9-7 Spring Breakout win over Brewers prospects, Stewart lifted a 2-2 pitch that sailed over the center fielder's head to the wall. Already not known as a speedster, he stumbled running between
Prospect Peña quietly drawing raves in Brewers' farm system
PHOENIX – Jesús Made was at the top of the Brewers’ lineup for Sunday’s 9-7 loss to the Reds in the finale of MLB’s four-day Spring Breakout, a fitting perch when you consider that the 17-year-old infielder is under a bright spotlight as MLB Pipeline’s No. 55 prospect. Made could
Brecht -- in 1st outing since '24 Draft -- wows at Spring Breakout
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Sunday's Spring Breakout showcase was the perfect unveiling for Rockies No. 5 prospect Brody Brecht. A right-handed pitcher from the University of Iowa whom the Rockies selected 38th overall last summer, Brecht had a nice collegiate resume, an interesting backstory as a former wide receiver for the
Braves prospects show promise in Spring Breakout
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Terry Pendleton prepared to serve as the manager of the Braves prospect team that played the Tigers prospect team in a Spring Breakout game on Sunday afternoon, he said fans should be patient with John Gil and Luis Guanipa, a pair of teenagers who have
Yanks' Lagrange flashes triple-digit heat in Spring Breakout
SARASOTA, Fla. -- There was an audible “Ooh” from the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium, and Carlos Lagrange quickly glanced beyond the right-field wall, checking the velocity of the pitch he’d just thrown in Saturday’s 5-4 Spring Breakout loss to the Orioles. It had registered in the triple digits, and
Bradfield dedicates Spring Breakout performance to late friend
SARASOTA, Fla. -- It was about more than playing in the national spotlight. More than the dinner bet placed with an old college teammate earlier in the month. More than a game. As Enrique Bradfield Jr. slid home to score a run during the first inning of Saturday night’s Spring