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According to betting site Oddspedia, a member of the Detroit Tigers is likely to win the 2025 American League Comeback Player of the Year Award. But which player still remains to be seen.
The site lists three Tigers among the four players with the best odds to win the award: Spencer Torkelson (No. 1 at +250), Javier Báez (No. 3 at +420) and Casey Mize (No. 4 at +600). All three have played huge roles in Detroit's MLB-best start in 2025, and all three have legitimate claims to the award.
And while it's still early in the season, it's worthwhile to examine how these players have rebounded from disappointing 2024 seasons. But which one has had the biggest rebound?
Let's take a look at their cases:
As the former No. 1 overall pick from the 2020 draft, Torkelson struggled in his rookie season in 2022 but showed his prodigious power with 31 home runs and 94 RBIs in 684 plate appearances in 2023. His 2024 season, however, was a big disappointment, as he didn't hit a home run until May 12 (38 games into his season).
Just two months ago, Torkelson was fighting for a spot on the Opening Day roster, only making it after a solid spring and injuries to Parker Meadows and Matt Vierling. But things changed quickly for the slugger.
Now fully into his resurgent season, Torkelson leads the Tigers (31-16) in home runs (12), RBIs (38), doubles (12), slugging percentage (.537) and OPS (.885). Even more impressive: Each of those figures (minus the doubles) surpasses Torkelson's totals in twice as many games in 2024.
The Tigers, who finished 19th in the majors in runs scored in 2024, are fourth in 2025. The team's most productive hitter is a big reason why.
If we're measuring "comeback" by the difference between one year's performance against the next year's performance, it's hard to pick against Báez.
The Tigers' highest-paid player had the team's lowest wins above replacement total (-1.1) according to Baseball Reference in 2024. And as of Monday, he has the highest on the team in 2025 (1.7).
Báez's resurgence has been an all-around affair, as he has raised his OPS from a career-low .516 in 2024 to a solidly-above-average .811 in 2025. He has also become the team's go-to center fielder while Meadows and Vierling rehab from their respective injuries, even though he had never played the position before this season.
When Báez stated he would "do whatever" in spring training to contribute to the team, he was likely setting lowered expectations after a disappointing first three years in Detroit. Now 38 games in, it's safe to say he has exceeded those standards.
JEFF SEIDEL: It's a bird, it's a plane ... it's Super Báez ... doing magical things
Much like Torkelson, Mize also dealt with the expectations of a top overall pick. And also like Torkelson, there was no guarantee Mize would make the Opening Day roster out of spring training.
You could say things have changed a lot in the past two months for the former Auburn star.
Not only has Mize held his own in the Tigers rotation, he has also thrived with a rotation-best 6-1 record and 2.53 ERA in 42⅔ innings pitched. And those six wins are tied for the lead among MLB pitchers entering Monday.
Those six wins also triple his win total (2-6) from an injury-riddled 2024 season.
If there's anything hampering Mize's Comeback Player of the Year campaign, it's the potential of his current stint on the injured list turning into a longer time away from the mound. But if Mize returns to action pitching the same as he had, he could absolutely be considered for the award.
It may be going under the radar, but Zach McKinstry's 2025 performance has already surpassed his 2024 season by many metrics, including OPS (.785 in 2025 from .614 in 2024). He has become arguably the team's most indispensable defender, already making starts at five different positions in 2025.
And if it can be considered a comeback, Dillon Dingler's play is worth a shoutout. Dingler didn't impress in his rookie season, slashing .167/.195/.310 in 87 plate appearances, but has already turned into one of the AL's best catchers in 2025.
It's too bad he exceeded his rookie limits in 2024, otherwise he could have been a strong Rookie of the Year candidate in 2025. But perhaps Trey Sweeney, who is third in the American League FanGraphs wins above replacement, can make a late run for that title this year.
You can reach Christian [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers have 3 who could win Comeback Player of the Year
Continue reading...
The site lists three Tigers among the four players with the best odds to win the award: Spencer Torkelson (No. 1 at +250), Javier Báez (No. 3 at +420) and Casey Mize (No. 4 at +600). All three have played huge roles in Detroit's MLB-best start in 2025, and all three have legitimate claims to the award.
And while it's still early in the season, it's worthwhile to examine how these players have rebounded from disappointing 2024 seasons. But which one has had the biggest rebound?
Let's take a look at their cases:
Spencer Torkelson rounding into form
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As the former No. 1 overall pick from the 2020 draft, Torkelson struggled in his rookie season in 2022 but showed his prodigious power with 31 home runs and 94 RBIs in 684 plate appearances in 2023. His 2024 season, however, was a big disappointment, as he didn't hit a home run until May 12 (38 games into his season).
Just two months ago, Torkelson was fighting for a spot on the Opening Day roster, only making it after a solid spring and injuries to Parker Meadows and Matt Vierling. But things changed quickly for the slugger.
Now fully into his resurgent season, Torkelson leads the Tigers (31-16) in home runs (12), RBIs (38), doubles (12), slugging percentage (.537) and OPS (.885). Even more impressive: Each of those figures (minus the doubles) surpasses Torkelson's totals in twice as many games in 2024.
The Tigers, who finished 19th in the majors in runs scored in 2024, are fourth in 2025. The team's most productive hitter is a big reason why.
Javier Báez playing up to his contract
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If we're measuring "comeback" by the difference between one year's performance against the next year's performance, it's hard to pick against Báez.
The Tigers' highest-paid player had the team's lowest wins above replacement total (-1.1) according to Baseball Reference in 2024. And as of Monday, he has the highest on the team in 2025 (1.7).
Báez's resurgence has been an all-around affair, as he has raised his OPS from a career-low .516 in 2024 to a solidly-above-average .811 in 2025. He has also become the team's go-to center fielder while Meadows and Vierling rehab from their respective injuries, even though he had never played the position before this season.
When Báez stated he would "do whatever" in spring training to contribute to the team, he was likely setting lowered expectations after a disappointing first three years in Detroit. Now 38 games in, it's safe to say he has exceeded those standards.
JEFF SEIDEL: It's a bird, it's a plane ... it's Super Báez ... doing magical things
Casey Mize pitching like a first-round pick
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Much like Torkelson, Mize also dealt with the expectations of a top overall pick. And also like Torkelson, there was no guarantee Mize would make the Opening Day roster out of spring training.
You could say things have changed a lot in the past two months for the former Auburn star.
Not only has Mize held his own in the Tigers rotation, he has also thrived with a rotation-best 6-1 record and 2.53 ERA in 42⅔ innings pitched. And those six wins are tied for the lead among MLB pitchers entering Monday.
Those six wins also triple his win total (2-6) from an injury-riddled 2024 season.
If there's anything hampering Mize's Comeback Player of the Year campaign, it's the potential of his current stint on the injured list turning into a longer time away from the mound. But if Mize returns to action pitching the same as he had, he could absolutely be considered for the award.
Others worth noting
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It may be going under the radar, but Zach McKinstry's 2025 performance has already surpassed his 2024 season by many metrics, including OPS (.785 in 2025 from .614 in 2024). He has become arguably the team's most indispensable defender, already making starts at five different positions in 2025.
And if it can be considered a comeback, Dillon Dingler's play is worth a shoutout. Dingler didn't impress in his rookie season, slashing .167/.195/.310 in 87 plate appearances, but has already turned into one of the AL's best catchers in 2025.
It's too bad he exceeded his rookie limits in 2024, otherwise he could have been a strong Rookie of the Year candidate in 2025. But perhaps Trey Sweeney, who is third in the American League FanGraphs wins above replacement, can make a late run for that title this year.
You can reach Christian [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers have 3 who could win Comeback Player of the Year
Continue reading...
