Houston – Mason Englert is a 23-year-old Rule 5 rookie who until this season barely pitched above High-A ball. It was his second big-league outing and, in a tie game in the sixth inning, he found himself facing one of the most feared left-handed hitters in the game – Astros’ Yordan Alvarez, who’d hit a game-tying, three-run homer the previous inning.
Scared? Intimidated? Not even a little. He had the audacity to try to mess with Alvarez’s mind during the at-bat. Alvarez fell into a fast 1-2 hole, taking a slider for a strike and whiffing on a second one − so he used his timeout.
The rookie was unfazed. When Alvarez got back in the box, Englert held the ball for about 13 seconds. Alvarez started to get antsy and tried to get a timeout. Home plate umpire Ben May correctly wouldn’t allow it. Finally Englert released the pitch, a changeup up down and away, and Alvarez rolled it meekly back to the mound.
How’s that for chutzpah?
“I thought that was pretty mature,” Tigers manager AJ Hinch said. “You kind of expect that from some of the older pitchers around the league … For Englert to have that kind of feel in his second outing, in this building, against arguably one of the scariest hitters you can have in the box – that was a pretty good indication that he’s comfortable competing at this level.”
Very comfortable. Englert gave the Tigers a critical three innings of scoreless relief Monday night, allowing just two hits in a game they’d eventually win in the 11th inning, 7-6. And holding the ball on Alvarez? Oh yeah, he knew exactly what he was doing.
“I was super conscious (of the gamesmanship),” he said. “He was ready to go. It was like, step in the box and go. But I came set and there were like 15 seconds left (on the pitch timer). Obviously, he’s like one of the best hitters in the world. So anything you can do to make him a little uncomfortable and give yourself an edge – it’s important.
“So I held on to it. I think I made everyone uncomfortable (laughing).”
Englert’s performance impressed everyone in the Tigers’ clubhouse.
“That was amazing,” Tigers starter Matthew Boyd said. “That was big-time to do what he did.”
Hinch called Englert “pitch-efficient and fearless.”
For Englert, who has a passion for studying the brain and human emotions, it was just an exciting night. He was more locked into the drama of the game than he was his own role in it. As he said, there were no negative nerves, no anxiousness. It was one of those days, he said, when his emotions were all positive.
“That’s not always going to be the case,” he said. “But the attitude I take out there every day is just, ‘I’m not going to fight whatever state my brain is in.’ Our brains are wild. There’s so many things that dictate where they’re at on any given day. So whatever state my brain is in, I’m going to accept it and go pitch.”
Englert talks about creating a space of equanimity, it’s a meditation practice. You create a space between your self and your brain state.
“That space is your area not to react,” he said. “The negative reactions don’t come from the initial thought, it comes from your interaction with it. So if you are being negative, it’s all right. If it’s positive, same thing – stay away from it and don’t allow yourself to be overly confident.”
The point is, he said, you don’t have to try to make sense out of whatever state your mind might be in on a given day. You can still have your game plan, still throw the ball where you want to throw it. Still perform at your peak.
“How you’re feeling and how your thoughts are, it has no bearing on the outcome,” he said.
No wonder he seemed so unaffected by the environment, so at peace and locked in Monday night. Of his 29 pitches to 10 batters, 20 were strikes.
“To pitch that good against a team like that on your second time out – that’s pretty impressive,” said right fielder Matt Vierling, who hit the game-winning home run. “I’m fired up for him.”
Englert was asked if his phone was blowing up after the game, with his family and friends wanting to congratulate him.
“My phone’s been broken for three days and I’ve made no effort to fix it,” he said, laughing. “I’m really enjoying not having it. I’m literally considering getting the apps I need for messages on my girlfriend’s phone and just getting a flip phone.”
Forever in the moment. This is a very unique and talented young man the Tigers plucked in the Rule 5 draft.
Impact defender
In the Tigers’ starting lineup Tuesday, Hinch deployed Jonathan Schoop at third base and Ryan Kreidler at second. Schoop was a Gold Glove finalist at second base last season and led baseball in outs above average.
The game is different this year without shifts, for sure, but that’s not why Hinch aligned his infield the way he did against the Astros.
“Kreidler is an impact defender,” Hinch said. “That’s why I put him in the game late last night and he turned a nice double-play (in the eighth inning). I’d love to play Kreidler up the middle in most of the games he plays just because of the impact he can have.
“It’s nothing to do with Schoop. It’s more to do with Kreidler. Jonathan can play second base in his sleep. I’m not concerned about Schoop playing second base as much as we have a weapon in the middle of the field with Kreidler.”
Around the horn
… Right-handed pitcher Beau Brieske (upper arm discomfort) is still being evaluated. “We still don’t know,” Hinch said. “He’s seeing a number of doctors. We’re waiting for multiple diagnosis from multiple doctors.”
… Garrett Hill got the game ball Monday night for recording the first save of his baseball life. But the night was special for Trey Wingenter, too. He pitched a scoreless 10th inning and got credited with the win. It was his first win in the big leagues since July 6, 2019, when he pitched 1.1 scoreless inning to help the Padres beat the Dodgers.
chris.mccosky@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @cmccosky
Tigers at Astros
When: 2:10 p.m., Wednesday, Minute Maid Park, Houston
TV/radio: BSD/97.1
Scouting report
LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (0-1, 5.06), Tigers: He allowed only a run and two hits with five strikeouts through five innings of his Opening Day start against the Rays. But he allowed a walk and a single in the sixth and both scored on ground-ball singles off reliever Jason Foley. A little unlucky results-wise, but his stuff, especially his changeup, and his command were a continuation of his brilliant spring.
RHP Cristian Javier (0-0, 5.40), Astros: It’s a small sample, but safe to say the Tigers haven’t enjoyed facing this guy. In three outings, they are 2 for 34 against him with 16 strikeouts. He’s checked him on one run in 10.2 innings. He features a four-seam (93 mph), slider, curveball and changeup, getting a 39% whiff rate with the slider, 30% with all four.