Jackson Wolf might've been steal of Tigers' 2026 trade deadline (and he was a Casey Mize throw-in)

The Tigers' return from the Padres for Casey Mize was never going to be as heavily scrutinized as what they got back for Tarik Skubal, so the two players who came over were met with a lukewarm reception accordingly. Trading Mize was the only right thing to do after Skubal went to the Dodgers, and at least Detroit got a top pitching prospect back to bolster a pipeline very light on pitching talent.

Kash Mayfield left San Diego's organization as their No. 2 prospect and landed in Detroit at No. 8, but he ended up on High-A West Michigan's IL before he could make his organizational debut.

Jackson Wolf, the other half of the deal, arrived to Triple-A Toledo with even less aplomb. Wolf was unranked in the Padres' pipeline, and his singular major league appearance in 2023 (against the Tigers, funnily enough) was decent but nothing to write home enough, and clearly not enough for the Padres to try to factor him into future rotations.

He left Triple-A El Paso with a 7.05 ERA over 89 1/3 innings, so even though a late-season promotion with the Tigers was possible, no one was holding their breath based on his performance.

However, Wolf has exceeded expectations since joining the Tigers organization. In six appearances (five starts), he has a 1.63 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 35 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings.

Jackson Wolf has enjoyed a shockingly nice breakout since Tigers' Casey Mize trade

He initially went viral on Tigers Twitter for his incredibly ridiculous windup (and, yes, he does that every time unless he's pitching from the stretch), but its meme-ability has taken a back seat since he joined the Mud Hens. Apart from an awkward 3 2/3-inning start on Aug. 21, when he gave up five runs, only one of which was earned, he has yet to throw a complete dud.

The Tigers' 2027 rotation is basically already set, especially if Reese Olson is healthy enough to make the Opening Day roster, but Wolf could very well make his way into the major league picture next season as a reliever.

In a year when the Tigers' struggles to develop or improve pitchers is becoming more and more apparent, Wolf has been a refreshing change of pace. He was probably the most underwhelming of the four pitchers who came over between both the Skubal and Mize deals, but he's proving that fans might've judged him too soon.

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