The Tigers wouldn't have made it as far as they did in 2025 if it weren't for four key surprises: Casey Mize, Zach McKinstry, Javy Báez, and Spencer Torkelson. Fans called for all of their demotions or releases constantly in 2024 — Torkelson did get demoted — but there was none of that this year.
They all still struggled, mostly in the second half, but it was more a matter of coming down from hot streaks than being as irredeemably terrible as fans had previously thought.
Mize and Torkelson's comebacks were arguably the biggest wins for the Tigers as former first overall picks.