Detroit Tigers: Casey Mize is the MCB pitcher of the year

This pick by our contributors was a difficult one but based on the fans’ feedback, rookie Casey Mize is our Detroit Tigers pitcher of the year.

It took the staff here at Motor City Bengals a few weeks longer than expected to decide our Detroit Tigers pitcher of the year. Danielle Obal liked Tarik Skubal and there was even a suggestion on Tyler Alexander because of how clutch he was this season but when it came to who emerged the victor, it was one of the better rookie pitchers in the American League.

Our player of the year, Jeimer Candelario, got less debate among our crew but more debate among our fans on our Facebook page despite him leading the team in WAR and being one of the steadiest bats all season long but debating is a good thing and there is nothing wrong with it.

As far as Mize’s season, to enter spring training, there was some debate if he was going to make the rotation but he cemented it with a strong finish out of Lakeland.  After a slow April in which he had a 5.06 ERA in five starts, he started to grow in his effectiveness.

He would start in 30 games, finishing with an of 3.71 ERA, and led all rookies with 12 quality starts. Of those 12 quality starts, he had a string of five in a row from April 29th to May 23rd. That tied for the longest since Justin Verlander in 2006.

Another impressive streak was 14 straight starts spanning from April until July that he allowed three-or-fewer runs. That was the longest since Jack Morris did 16 in a row in 1983.

Mize led all Tigers pitchers in WAR and along with Skubal, made one of the better rookie combos in recent Tigers history. It is all up from here for Mize for 2022 with an impressive season to build upon.