Casey Mize’s first All-Star appearance caps a remarkable comeback after Tommy John surgery and a period of tough thoughts that gnawed at his confidence. He traded self-doubt for deliberate work, leaning on a Tigers sports psychologist and a push to rethink his approach. An offseason pit stop at Driveline Baseball and Maven Baseball sharpened his pitch mix, fueling a 3.15 ERA across 16 starts before a late-season bump. On the red carpet in Atlanta, the moment felt bigger than numbers, especially with his wife pregnant and by his side.

Teammate Tarik Skubal watched closely as Mize transformed from a top pick with injuries into a stable All-Star, locker-mates and confidants in Detroit’s rotation. The narrative echoes Zack Wheeler’s return from elbow surgery—steady progress followed by peak performance. The Tigers’ two former top prospects symbolize a franchise recalibrating around resilience, growth, and a grounded outlook that now frames their on-field success and their futures as father and pitcher.