Tigers’ Long continues unlikely path forward with his stop in the Arizona Fall League

Detroit Tigers prospect Maddox Long is continuing an improbable journey through professional baseball with an impressive showing in the Arizona Fall League. After signing with Detroit out of the independent Frontier League in June, the 25-year-old pitcher quickly ascended from the Florida Complex League to Single-A Lakeland and High-A West Michigan, posting a 3.74 ERA and 11.8 strikeouts per nine innings across 33 2/3 innings.

The 6-foot-5 right-hander earned a roster spot in the Arizona Fall League, where he posted a 1.59 ERA with 14 strikeouts in his first 17 innings. A former Division II All-American at Harding University, Long has expanded his repertoire into a multi-pitch mix, seeing his fastball velocity reach up to 95.4 mph during his fall campaign.