What Detroit Tigers Deserve an All-Star Consideration

May 23, 2021 - Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Casey Mize delivers a pitch. Peter Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2021 - Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Casey Mize delivers a pitch. Peter Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
1 of 4
Next
(Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

The 2021 MLB All-Star Game is set to be hosted in Colorado on July 13th, and there could be a few Detroit Tigers worthy of the Midsummer Classic’s consideration. 

You look across the Detroit Tigers roster, you see a few foundation pieces in place. The recent drafts are starting to have the young talent contribute to the roster.

The last three All-Star games featured three Tigers pitchers in Shane Greene (2019) and Joe Jimenez (2018) and Michael Fulmer (2017). The last season where the Tigers featured multiple players was in 2015, with Miguel Cabrera, Jose Iglesias, J.D Martinez and David Price.

Cabrera made the All-Star game not only as a first baseman but as a third baseman back in 2013. Only Al Kaline, who made the All-Star game as a center fielder in 1966 and as a right fielder in 1963, was the other Tiger.

The 2021 All-Star voting ends on June 24 and currently in the American League, there is definitely a feel that the Toronto Blue Jays and the Houston Astros fans are coming out in full force. Here’s the link to vote for the Tigers. https://www.mlb.com/all-star/ballot 

While the Detroit Tigers haven’t boasted the season they’ve been hoping for, as they currently sit in the fifth spot in the American League Central with a 30-42 record. Despite their record, they are grooming some of the league’s brightest stars, and some could wind up playing in the MLB All-Star Game this year. Let’s take a look at some Detroit Tigers who could participate in some midseason festivities this year.

Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers /

Detroit Tigers number one nomination: Casey Mize

The first nomination that the Tigers have on the roster who could be in All-Star Game consideration is starting pitcher Casey Mize. Mize, 24, was the number one overall pick by the Detroit Tigers in the 2018 MLB Draft and he has evolved into the face of the franchise already in less than a full season in the show.

Casey Mize isn’t at the top of the charts in terms of being named to his first career All-Star Game, but his numbers prove that he should be a man in the mix. Casey Mize, this season, has posted a 4-4 record, 3.61 ERA, 66 strikeouts, and a 1.12 WHIP in 82.1 innings pitched. Mize ranks 15th in the American League in ERA, he’s tied for 5th in the American League in quality starts with nine, and his WHIP of 1.12 is good for 13th in the American League.

Casey Mize still has some work to do to help bolster his odds of making his first All-Star Game appearance, but he’s certainly pointed in the right direction. Mize, being the ace of the Tigers’ pitching staff, has some of the best odds at representing the Tigers in the Midsummer Classic this season.

Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers number two nomination: Gregory Soto

The Detroit Tigers have a knack for sending relief pitchers to the All-Star Game, and their selection this year could wind up being relief pitcher Gregory Soto. Gregory Soto has seen a major emergence in 2021, as he has quickly become one of the best arms out of the bullpen for the Tigers. Considering last season’s cancellation of the All-Star Game, the Tigers have sent a relief pitcher to two consecutive All-Star Games and they could be in line for a third straight in 2021.

Gregory Soto, this season, has posted a 3-1 record out of the bullpen while logging a 2.51 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 33 K’s in 32 games played. Soto has also logged a team-tying six saves for the Tigers this season, which ranks 14th best in the American League. If Gregory Soto met the MLB’s innings pitched qualifications, his ERA of 2.51 would rank as the sixth best in the American League.

Gregory Soto doesn’t get nearly enough respect as one of the league’s best relief pitchers, but an All-Star Game appearance would surely change that.

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers number three nomination: Jonathan Schoop

One of the most underrated players on the Detroit Tigers this season has been infielder Jonathan Schoop. Schoop, who can play both first base and second base, should certainly be in the mix for one of the rare Detroit bats who could be considered for the upcoming All-Star Game. Schoop is seeing the ball extremely well this season and has sustained success throughout the season.

Jonathan Schoop has a .274 batting average, .330 on-base percentage, 71 hits, 34 runs, 13 home runs, and 34 RBI for the Detroit Tigers this season, and he has some very good rankings in the American League as well. Schoop’s batting average ranks 4th amongst American League first basemen, his 71 hits rank 4th amongst American League first basemen, and his 13 home runs rank 2nd amongst American League first basemen.

Jonathan Schoop is very quietly producing an All-Star worthy season for the Detroit Tigers, and he could get some votes to represent the team in the Midsummer Classic in July.

Next