Tigers' No. 2 Prospect Casey Mize Called Up; Will Make MLB Debut on Wednesday

Casey Mize is set to make his big league debut. 

The Detroit Tigers' top pitching prospect was called up from the team's alternate site and will be making his first MLB start Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox.

The club also called up pitcher Tarik Skubal and infielder Isaac Paredes. Skubal is set to make his first start Tuesday.

"No. 1, obviously, we have the greatest need right now," Tigers general manager Al Avila told reporters of the pitchers. "More importantly, we felt that both pitchers are ready to pitch at this time. We feel they're ready to contribute."

Mize is ranked as the No. 8 overall prospect in baseball by MLB.com and the second-ranked prospect in the Tigers organization, behind corner infielder Spencer Torkelson. The righty was the first overall pick in the 2018 MLB draft and rapidly ascended in Detroit's minor league system. Mize was 8-3 with a 2.72 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in 22 starts last season, striking out 107 batters in 109.1 innings.

Avila said the club hopes Avila and Skubal stick with the major league team but would not commit to them being on the roster the remainder of the season. It's possible, if not likely, the Tigers will attempt to avoid both young arms accruing a year of service time.

The Tigers have one of the worst pitching rotations in baseball, currently posting a 5.52 team ERA. They have only had two quality starts through their first 19 games.