We’re exactly a month away from the 2018 MLB draft, and there is loads of talent that will hear their names called on draft day. RHP Casey Mize from Auburn University is currently the number one overall prospect heading into the ’18 draft. The 6 foot 3 Auburn ace is having an outstanding season, posting a 2.40 ERA in 75 innings pitched while striking out 104 hitters. He’s also walked just seven batters all year long. Talk about pinpoint control. The combination of great stuff and the ability to throw strikes consistently has Mize as a surefire to go number one overall to the Detroit Tigers on June 4th.
Casey Mize 2018 MLB Draft Profile
Mize has absolutely carved up hitters this year in division one baseball. He features an electric fastball that sits in the mid-90s with the ability to ramp it up to the high 90s. Mize has four plus pitches that he commands, which is extremely rare to see from college arms. A devastating split-finger changeup, a mid-80s slider, and a cutter that sits in the high 80s. He has a fluent delivery and repeats it very well. Mize wasn’t drafted out of high school but has clearly evolved into a cant-miss prospect in college. Mize is only 21 so he definitely has more time to develop.
What he brings to the table
Mize has the prototypical build of a big league starting pitcher. He’s listed 6 foot 3 and 220 pounds, and he has shown the ability to go deep into ballgames on the mound on a consistent basis throughout his college career. This year he’s gone at least six innings in all eleven games he’s started. He is an absolute workhorse and will be able to eat up some innings for a big league club once he climbs through the minor leagues. Mize does a solid job of carrying his velocity deep into ballgames thanks to a strong lower half and a consistent delivery. The combination of command, velocity, and swing and miss stuff is very hard to find. Mize has all of it. His split-finger changeup may be his best offering, a pitch that dives as it approaches hitters.
Mize has good athleticism, evident by his fluent delivery and his ability to field his position. He jumps off the mound well and finishes square to the plate ready to field a ground ball or a bunt if need be. Another thing that shows he could be a very good starter at the professional level is his effortless delivery. He throws 94-95 mph quite easily. Even when he gasses up to the upper 90s, it still doesn’t look like he’s trying to throw hard.
MLB comparison
A good big league comparison to Casey Mize would be Justin Verlander. Mize has great stuff, several lights out offerings and the velocity to go along with it. He also has outstanding command and seldom walks hitters. That’s been Verlander in a nutshell for the most part throughout his big league career. Verlander has been one of best arms in the big leagues for years, and they also have very similar deliveries. Verlander was drafted in the first round out of college by the Detroit Tigers, and that will most likely be the team who will select Mize with the first overall pick in early June. If Mize can turn into the type of pitcher that Verlander has, then he will have a very successful major league career.
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