Casey Mize and Gregory Soto promoted from Lakeland to the Erie SeaWolves

In a move that will take absolutely no one by surprise, the Detroit Tigers announced the promotion of their top prospect, starting pitcher Casey Mize, to the Double-A Erie SeaWolves on Thursday. The number one overall selection in the 2018 draft, Mize has done nothing but impress in his short time in pro ball. He’ll join the Tigers second ranked prospect Matt Manning, forming one of the nastiest one-two punches of any rotation in the minor leagues.

Mize, who will turn 22 on May 1, simply had nothing to prove and little to learn in the Florida State League. Through four starts, Mize allowed just one run, wrapping his stay in Lakeland with a one-hit, eight inning performance on Tuesday. Mize racked up 25 strikeouts to just one walk allowed and appears plenty ready to handle the jump to the Double-A Eastern League.

The Tigers also announced the promotion of left-hander Gregory Soto to Erie. Soto, who served a 20-game suspension to begin the season, returned to action on Wednesday for the Lakeland Flying Tigers. He is currently the 26th ranked prospect in the Tigers’ farm system according to MLB Pipeline. A hard-thrower with an explosive fastball but poor command, Soto seems destined for a relief role, but we’ll have to see the corresponding fallout from these promotions to know if the Tigers are ready to make that change right now.

If Soto stays in the rotation, he’ll join Matt Manning, Mize, Alex Faedo, Logan Shore, Spencer Watkins, and Nick Ramirez. That’s two starting pitchers two many, so expect a promotion to Toledo for one of those names, and a probable move to relief for another.

Update: Corresponding moves are announced.