Gage Workman

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    Gage Workman Bio

    Gage Tater Workman (born October 24, 1999) is an American professional baseball third baseman in the Detroit Tigers organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox, and made his MLB debut in 2025 after coming up through the Tigers’ minor league system. A former fourth-round draft pick, Workman is known for his power at the plate and his versatility across the infield, spending time at third base and shortstop during his development.

    Early Life and Background

    Gage Tater Workman was born on October 24, 1999, and grew up in Arizona, where he attended Basha High School in Chandler. He played high school baseball alongside outfielder Brennen Davis and reclassified to the class of 2017 so that he could graduate a year earlier than originally planned. During his 2017 high school season, he batted .396, a performance that helped put him on the radar of professional scouts.

    His father, Widd Workman, also played baseball at Arizona State University and spent four seasons in the minor leagues within the San Diego Padres system, giving the younger Workman an early grounding in the game. His middle name, “Tater,” was his grandfather’s nickname and has followed him throughout his baseball career. Workman is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When the time came for a church mission, he chose to skip it in order to continue playing college baseball at Arizona State without losing a season of eligibility.

    Path to Baseball

    Following his strong senior season at Basha High School, Workman was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 14th round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft. He opted not to sign with the Brewers and instead honored his commitment to play college baseball at Arizona State University. The decision allowed him to refine his skills against high-level amateur competition and to develop as a power-hitting infielder.

    As a freshman at Arizona State in 2018, Workman appeared in 50 games and slashed .276/.339/.466 with three home runs and 25 RBI. That summer he played in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Brewster Whitecaps, batting .241/.306/.547 in a premier collegiate wood-bat setting. His sophomore year in 2019 was his most productive college season: he hit .330/.413/.528 with eight home runs, 42 RBI, and nine stolen bases across 57 games, earning honorable mention on both the All-Pac-12 team and the All-Pac-12 defensive team. He returned to Brewster for another Cape Cod League stint and was named a league all-star. Workman’s junior season in 2020 was cut short after 17 games by the COVID-19 pandemic, during which he batted .250/.316/.471 with three home runs and 14 RBI. He finished his amateur career as one of the more polished third-base prospects in the 2020 draft class.

    Gage Workman Career

    Early Career (2020-2021)

    Workman was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the fourth round as the 102nd overall pick in the 2020 Major League Baseball draft and signed with the organization. The 2020 minor league season was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, delaying his professional debut. To open 2021, he was assigned to the Lakeland Flying Tigers of the Low-A Southeast, where he slashed .256/.357/.426 with three home runs, 19 RBI, 16 doubles, and 22 stolen bases over 51 games, showing a blend of power and speed that had marked his college career.

    In early July 2021, after his Low-A success, Workman was promoted to the West Michigan Whitecaps of the High-A Central. Over 67 games with the Whitecaps, he batted .237/.302/.440 with nine home runs and 39 RBI, gaining experience against more advanced pitching. The two stops gave the Tigers a clearer picture of his offensive profile and helped him establish himself as a legitimate third-base prospect within the system.

    Minor League Breakthrough (2022-2024)

    Workman opened the 2022 season with the Erie SeaWolves of the Double-A Eastern League, his first full year at the upper levels of the minors. Over 128 games, he slashed .225/.276/.415 with 14 home runs, 68 RBI, 30 stolen bases, and 30 doubles, showing the all-around game Detroit had hoped for. After the season he was invited to play in the Arizona Fall League for the Salt River Rafters, where he batted .193/.230/.386 against top prospects from around baseball.

    In 2023, Workman split the year between Erie and West Michigan, playing primarily shortstop and hitting .239/.336/.409 with 13 home runs and 48 RBI over 100 games. He returned to Erie for the 2024 campaign and produced his strongest professional season, batting .280/.366/.476 with 18 home runs, 89 RBI, and 30 stolen bases in 126 appearances. That performance placed him firmly on the Tigers’ big-league radar heading into the offseason.

    Major League Debut with the Chicago Cubs (2025)

    On December 11, 2024, the Chicago Cubs selected Workman from the Tigers in the Rule 5 draft, a move that required him to remain on Chicago’s major league roster to stay in the organization. He made the Cubs’ Opening Day roster and reached the majors for the first time on March 29, 2025, fulfilling a lifelong goal. In nine appearances for Chicago, Workman went 3-for-14 (.214) with two RBI and one stolen base, offering a brief look at his offensive skill set.

    On April 23, 2025, Workman was designated for assignment by the Cubs, ending his first major league stint. His brief time in Chicago nonetheless marked his official MLB debut and gave him valuable experience at the game’s highest level.

    Chicago White Sox Stint (2025)

    On April 26, 2025, Workman was traded to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for cash considerations, giving him a quick second chance to stick in the majors. He appeared in three games for the White Sox but recorded only two hitless plate appearances before a right hip flexor strain sent him to the 10-day injured list on May 1. On May 12, he was activated off the injured list and subsequently designated for assignment, closing his brief tenure in Chicago.

    Detroit Tigers Second Stint (2025-Present)

    On May 14, 2025, Workman was returned to the Detroit Tigers organization, bringing the infielder back to the franchise that originally drafted and developed him. The return allowed him to resume his career in a familiar system while he continued to work toward an extended major league opportunity.

    Driving Style and Strengths

    Workman is regarded as a power-hitting infielder whose offensive game is built on extra-base damage, patient at-bats, and usable speed on the base paths. He has shown the ability to play both third base and shortstop, and his Cape Cod League and Pac-12 experience helped him develop a steady defensive foundation. His right-handed bat and willingness to draw walks have been consistent themes throughout his amateur and professional career.

    Notable Events and Milestones

    Workman’s most significant career milestone came on March 29, 2025, when he made his MLB debut with the Chicago Cubs after being taken in the Rule 5 draft. Other defining moments include his 14th-round selection by the Brewers in 2017, his decision to attend Arizona State, his 2020 fourth-round selection by Detroit, and his 2024 Double-A season in which he set or matched personal bests in home runs, RBI, and stolen bases.

    Gage Workman Career Wins

    As a position player, Gage Workman does not accumulate traditional “wins” in the same way pitchers do, but his offensive production has produced several notable seasons and selection honors. Across his amateur and professional career he has posted multiple seasons of double-digit home runs, double-digit stolen bases, and All-Star or honorable mention recognition, signaling a player who has delivered in key developmental environments.

    Minor League Highlights

    Workman’s most productive minor league season came in 2024 with the Erie SeaWolves, when he batted .280/.366/.476 with 18 home runs, 89 RBI, and 30 stolen bases across 126 games. Earlier, he reached the 14-home run, 30-stolen base mark in 2022 with Erie and earned a selection to the Arizona Fall League. In the Cape Cod League, he was named a league all-star in 2019, capping a summer in which he further sharpened his approach against premium collegiate pitching.

    Other Wins and Performances

    At Arizona State, Workman was an honorable mention on the All-Pac-12 team and the All-Pac-12 defensive team in 2019, recognition that helped cement his status as a top prospect. His first professional extended action came in 2021 across Low-A Lakeland and High-A West Michigan, where he combined for 12 home runs and 58 RBI while showing the speed that had marked his college career. A brief MLB stint with the Cubs in 2025 produced his first three major league hits.

    Gage Workman Family

    Family Background and Racing Lineage

    Workman comes from a baseball family. His father, Widd Workman, played baseball at Arizona State University and spent four seasons in the San Diego Padres minor league system, exposing his son to a professional environment from an early age. His middle name, “Tater,” was his grandfather’s nickname and has become a well-known part of his public identity.

    Personal Life

    Workman is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and his wife, Alexa, married in November 2020, and he has spoken about skipping a traditional church mission in order to keep his college baseball career on track. The couple has been a steady presence throughout his transitions between minor league cities and his brief major league stops in 2025.

    2025 Season Performance

    Workman’s 2025 season was defined by movement between organizations and an early major league debut. After being selected in the Rule 5 draft by the Cubs, he made the Opening Day roster and debuted on March 29, 2025. He went 3-for-14 with two RBI and a stolen base in nine appearances before being designated for assignment on April 23. Two days later, on April 26, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox, where a right hip flexor strain limited him to two hitless plate appearances across three games.

    On May 12, 2025, Workman was activated off the injured list by the White Sox and immediately designated for assignment, and on May 14 he was returned to the Detroit Tigers organization. The back-and-forth stretch gave him a first taste of MLB life while underscoring the challenges of holding a Rule 5 roster spot.

    Back in the Tigers system, Workman will look to build on the offensive strides that produced 18 home runs and 30 stolen bases in his 2024 Double-A campaign. His power-speed combination and his ability to play both third base and shortstop give Detroit a flexible depth option as the 2025 season continues. A strong run in the minors could position him for another major league opportunity before season’s end.