Detroit Tigers No. 1 pick Casey Mize strikes out 4 in pro debut in Fla.

Anthony Fenech | Detroit Free Press

Casey Mize’s professional career has begun.

The Detroit Tigers’ No. 1 overall pick in this year’s MLB draft made his minor league debut this afternoon in Lakeland, Fla., throwing two innings for the team’s Gulf Coast League affiliate.

Mize threw two scoreless innings, striking out four of the seven batters he faced. He walked one, in the second, while striking out the side.

Tigers general manager Al Avila said earlier in the week that Mize’s next step will be a start for Class A Lakeland on Tuesday. In that game, Mize is slated to throw three or four innings, Avila said. The Tigers will likely limit his professional workload to between 20-30 innings this season.

More:

Mitch Albom: Casey Mize takes it slow; what a pleasant change

Nerves, sweat and a phone call: How Casey Mize became Tigers' top pick

Mize, 21, posted a 3.30 ERA in 17 starts for Auburn this season. He struck out 156 batters and walked 16 in 114⅔ innings. The Tigers signed him to a $7.5-million signing bonus, which is the highest under the current bonus slot rules.

The right-hander was ranked the Tigers’ top prospect in Baseball America’s midseason Top 100, at No. 18 overall.

Contact Anthony Fenech: afenech@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech.