Welcome to a special bonus edition of “Five Things We Liked From Last Week”. This week, we cover five predictions we like for 2025:
1. Reese Olson and Casey Mize: 300+ combined innings pitched, sub 3.50 ERA combined
We’re coming in hot with our first prediction, which is actually a two for one. You were warned this was a bonus edition!
Last season, Reese Olson threw just over 112 innings with a 3.53 ERA, while Casey Mize threw just over 102 innings with a 4.49 ERA. At first glance, our first prediction seems far-fetched.
On second glance, aka after watching spring training, this prediction may not be as nutty as it seems. In Reese Olson’s last spring start, both his fastball and sinker were up close to 1 MPH over last season’s averages, and his secondaries were as nasty as ever. If Olson can maintain this newfound velocity, and locate his fastballs, he could be in for a full-on breakout year.
Similarly (or even moreso), Casey Mize has looked like a completely different pitcher this spring. Mize has added almost 3 MPH to his splitter, which looks like a wipeout pitch, and has also found spring success with the new variations of his slider. Just like with Reese Olson, if Mize can maintain his stuff throughout the season, it could be a career year for the former first overall pick.
2. Spencer Torkelson gets over 400 ABs and his OPS is higher than Alex Bregman’s
After a few years in the wilderness for Spencer Torkelson, one gets the feeling that this could be his year. Just like his teammate and fellow number one overall pick Casey Mize, Tork has looked like a different player this spring, with an OPS over 1.000 in 50 Grapefruit League at bats, and a monster performance in game one of the regular season.
Tork looks more athletic and balanced in the box, and with the Tigers needing impact bats, Spencer could force his way into way more playing time than initially imagined; and surpass he who shall not be named in offensive production.
3. Gleyber Torres has an .800+ OPS
It was a little perplexing when news broke that the Tigers had signed Gleyber Torres to a one year deal over the holidays; not due to him being unproductive, but due to his position being filled by Colt Keith. However, that perplexion (?) has subsided this spring after seeing the impact that Torres can have on the 2025 Tigers.
Torres is what they paradoxically call a “professional hitter” (aren’t all MLB hitters “professional hitters” by definition?). He doesn’t chase, he hits for average and power, and he takes his walks. While they play different positions, Torres could also end up surpassing he who shall not be named in offensive production this season. And while Alex Bregman seems like a nice person, hopefully Gleyber and Tork can help Tigers fans forget that they missed out on Bregman this offseason; especially if Matt Vierling, Jace Jung, Hao-Yu Lee or the Zachandy McKibáñez platoon can cover 3rd base reasonably well.
4. Kevin McGonigle is a Tiger by August 15th
K-Mac. Big Kev. The Hitman. The Hit Doctor. Call him what you want, but Kevin McGonigle just hits.
This spring, McGonigle introduced himself to A.J. Hinch by looking like one of the best players in the Tigers’ organization, MLB included. He came as advertised at the plate, and looked even better than advertised in the field.
With just 57 plate appearances above A-ball in his career, it would take a meteoric rise for Big Mac to reach the majors this season. But just watch one game of his, and you can see why it’s not out of the question.
This won’t be the first time we talk about McGonigle in our “Five Things”; in fact, if you like cliffhangers, please check out today’s “Five Things” to see how Mac Attack’s age 19 season stacked up against some of MLB’s best infielders over the past 25 years at the same age.
5. The Tigers go 88-74 and win the AL Central
We’d be remiss not to include our full season Detroit Tigers prediction in a prediction column, so here it is.
Questions abound for the 2025 Tigers. Who plays third? Who plays shortstop? Who plays centerfield? Why did they re-do the infield grass?
However, all teams have questions, especially in the AL Central. One person all teams do NOT have is A.J. Hinch. Call it a hunch, but the prediction here is that A.J. and company get the most out of the ’25 Tigers, and lead the way to an AL Central title.
Rogelio Castillo