Detroit Tigers: Will Al Avila be forced to backpedal regarding Casey Mize?

Will Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila be forced to double back on the statement he made just yesterday concerning Casey Mize?

Just yesterday, Al Avila told the world via MLB.com that the Detroit Tigers organization wants to err on the side of caution when it comes to their 23-year old top pitching prospect, Casey Mize.

The statement seemed odd in many ways, one of which Avila mentioned he’d like to see the young phenom build up his arm strength in Toldeo. That’s strange. Pitching coach Rick Anderson said in July, all of the starting pitchers are ready to enter the regular-season able to throw at least 80 pitches.

Avila mentioned the organization doesn’t want to throw their young right-hander into the fire.

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He’s a 23-year old pitcher who dominated last season in A-ball along with Double-A Erie. Mize made 15 starts for Erie producing a 6-3 record while posting a solid 3.20 ERA and 1.106 WHIP en route to striking out 76 batters in 78.2 innings of work.

Mize started his Double-A career in style, tossing a complete game no-hitter in his debut. The youngster allowed just two runners, one was a hit batter in the first inning, and the other was a walk late in the ballgame.

While other teams seem to be excited to see their young talent debut at the big-league level, the Detroit Tigers appear to be in no rush. The Chicago Cubs were chastised for leaving slugger Kris Bryant in the minors when he was clearly MLB ready. The same goes for the Toronto Blue Jays with Vladimir Guerraro Jr. The Jays used the excuse that his defense needed work, but like the Tigers, they were working that service time clock.

But look at those same Jays now. They’ve got their young flame-throwing 23-year old, Nate Pearson firmly placed in their starting rotation, and many can argue for no real reason other than to get his feet wet at the big-league level. The Jays are a young, rebuilding team that plays in the same division as the Yankees and Rays. Oh, and don’t forget about those surging Orioles. I ridicule about Baltimore, of course, but the Jays enter the day with a 7-9 overall record, yet they are not reluctant to run out MLB’s ninth overall prospect.

For the record, MLB has Detroit Tigers prospects Spencer Torkelson and Casey Mize ranked seventh and eighth respectfully.

The Detroit Tigers recently added starting pitcher Ivan Nova to the injured list, joining Jordan Zimmermann and Dario Agrazal. Agrazal may be ready to return by Tuesday and make a spot start for the Tigers in place of Nova, or perhaps Detroit splits Fulmer and Norris using both as ‘openers’ on different days.

Next. Al Avila’s excuse not to call up Casey Mize idiotic. dark

The Tigers may also elect to run Rony Garcia back out onto the mound to make a start. All three options are much less desirable than allowing Mize to have a kick at the can in the show. The problem is, will Avila be willing to put his ego aside and eat crow on the comments he made just hours ago only to recall the organization’s most glorified pitching prospect since Justin Verlander?

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