Tigers’ patience with former No. 1 draft picks finally paying off (sorry, Yankees)

Snow may have been falling at Comerica Park Monday afternoon, but it didn't stop right-hander Casey Mize from throwing straight heat for the Detroit Tigers.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft held the New York Yankees to one run and struck out six over six innings of work in his second strong start of the season. In his two starts, Mize has pitched to a sparkling 0.77 ERA across 11 2/3 innings and has a 2-0 record to start the season. Since day one of spring training, he has looked like a far cry from the pitcher who struggled to establish himself at the major league level over the past several years due to Tommy John surgery and other injuries.

Mize's first home win of the season came one day after Spencer Torkelson, the No. 1 pick in the 2020 draft, delivered a walk-off two-run double against the Chicago White Sox. Torkelson has been the Tigers' best hitter by far this season, slashing .311/.415/.622 with five doubles and three home runs. He, too, had struggled greatly over the past few seasons amid multiple demotions to Triple-A Toledo as his bat went cold in the big leagues.

Mize and Torkelson share more in common than being former No. 1 overall picks by the Tigers. They both entered spring training this year not knowing whether they would even break camp with the team. In fact, most people probably guessed that they wouldn't. Despite their struggles in recent years, both Mize and Torkelson appear to be hitting their stride at the same time early in 2025, and the Tigers' front office – and their fans – are breathing a sigh of relief.

Tigers’ patience with former No. 1 picks Casey Mize and Spencer Torkelson is finally paying off

Remember, the Tigers are coming off their first postseason appearance since 2014 last season thanks to a 31-13 finish down the stretch – a finish that saw very little contribution from either Mize or Torkelson. Mize finished the season in the bullpen and didn't even make the postseason roster. Torkelson was demoted to Triple-A for two and a half months in the middle of the season (again).

Based on their body of recent work, there was little reason to believe that either player would be a major contributor for the Tigers in 2025. It was looking like Detroit had whiffed on not one, but two No. 1 picks – which would have been a massive blow to the Tigers' draft-and-develop strategy.

However, Mize beat out Keider Montero, Kenta Maeda and Matt Manning for a starting rotation spot in spring training. Torkelson, who had been cast aside when the Tigers signed Gleyber Torres to play second base and moved Colt Keith to first, still managed to hit his way onto the Opening Day roster as a DH. Now, with Torres sidelined with an oblique strain, Torkelson is playing regularly at first again while Keith mans the keystone.

Obviously, the season is still very young – young enough that it's entirely possible that this is just an early hot streak for the two former No. 1 picks. But Mize's revamped arsenal and Torkelson's adjustments to his swing seem to indicate that they have staying power, and the Tigers are being rewarded for their patience.

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