Casey Mize Tops ESPN's Keith Law's 2018 MLB Draft Big Board

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

Auburn right-handed pitcher Casey Mize is the top prospect heading into the 2018 MLB draft on June 4, at least according to Keith Law of ESPN.com.

Law listed Mize atop his big board, calling him "the clear 1-1 talent in this draft" and saying, "As long as he stays healthy, Mize is a No. 1 starter."

He added: "[Mize] should be able to contribute in the majors this fall or at the beginning of next season. He'd be the easy choice for me if I held the first overall pick."

Law noted Mize can throw up to 96 mph and features "a plus-plus splitter and plus slider" with "absurd control," as evidenced by his 133 strikeouts to just 10 walks entering the SEC tournament.

Auburn shared video of a 2017 start from the formidable pitcher, underscoring how effective he can be as a strikeout artist:

He earned First Team All-SEC recognition, becoming the first Auburn pitcher to do so since 2000. He also led the SEC in innings pitched with 96, strikeouts with 133 and complete games with three while firing a no-hitter on March 9 against Northeastern.

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Attention will turn to the Detroit Tigers, who own the first pick, and general manager Al Avila and assistant GM David Chadd scouted Mize at a recent LSU game.

The Tigers are 21-28 on the season and rank 20th in the league in ERA.