Gage Workman Bio
Gage Tater Workman (born October 24, 1999) is an American professional baseball third baseman for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox. He made his MLB debut in 2025. Workman was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the fourth round as the 102nd overall pick in the 2020 Major League Baseball draft.
Early Life and Background
Gage Workman was born on October 24, 1999, in the United States. His father, Widd Workman, also played baseball at Arizona State University and spent four seasons in the minor leagues with the San Diego Padres. This family baseball legacy provided Workman with early exposure to the sport and shaped his development as a player. His middle name, “Tater,” was his grandfather’s nickname.
Workman attended Basha High School in Chandler, Arizona, where he played baseball alongside future MLB player Brennen Davis. He was originally set to graduate in 2018, but reclassified to the class of 2017. In 2017, he batted .396, establishing himself as one of the top high school prospects in the region.
Amateur Career
Following his standout high school career, Workman was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 14th round of the 2017 MLB Draft. He chose not to sign and instead honored his commitment to play college baseball at Arizona State University. In 2018, Workman’s freshman season, he appeared in fifty games (making 48 starts) and batted .276 with three home runs and 25 RBI. That summer, he played in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Brewster Whitecaps, batting .241.
As a sophomore in 2019, Workman had a breakout year, slashing .330/.413/.528 with eight home runs, 42 RBI, and nine stolen bases over 57 games. He earned honorable mention for both the All-Pac-12 team and the All-Pac-12 defensive team. He returned to the Cape Cod League for Brewster, where he batted .266 and was named a league all-star. Over 17 games as a junior in 2020, he batted .250 and compiled three home runs and 14 RBI before the college baseball season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gage Workman Career
Detroit Tigers (2020–2024)
Workman was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the fourth round as the 102nd overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. To begin the 2021 season, he was assigned to the Lakeland Flying Tigers of the Low-A Southeast. After slashing .256/.357/.426 with three home runs, 19 RBI, 16 doubles, and 22 stolen bases over 51 games, he was promoted to the West Michigan Whitecaps of the High-A Central in early July. Over 67 games with the Whitecaps, Workman batted .237/.302/.440 with nine home runs and 39 RBI.
Workman was assigned to the Erie SeaWolves of the Double-A Eastern League for the 2022 season. Over 128 games, he slashed .225/.276/.415 with 14 home runs, 68 RBI, thirty stolen bases, and thirty doubles. He was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League for the Salt River Rafters after the season, and batted .193/.230/.386. He split the 2023 season between Erie and West Michigan, hitting .239/.336/.409 with 13 home runs and 48 RBI over 100 games, playing primarily shortstop. Workman returned to Erie for the 2024 campaign, making 126 appearances and batting .280/.366/.476 with 18 home runs, 89 RBI, and 30 stolen bases.
Chicago Cubs (2025)
On December 11, 2024, the Chicago Cubs selected Workman from the Tigers in the Rule 5 Draft. He made the Cubs’ Opening Day roster and made his MLB debut on March 29, 2025. In nine appearances for Chicago, Workman went 3-for-14 with two RBI and one stolen base. On April 23, Workman was designated for assignment by the Cubs.
Chicago White Sox (2025)
On April 26, 2025, Workman was traded to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for cash considerations. On May 1, Workman was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right hip flexor strain, having only received two hitless plate appearances over three games. On May 12, Workman was activated off the injured list and subsequently designated for assignment.
Detroit Tigers (Second Stint, 2025–Present)
On May 14, 2025, Workman was returned to the Detroit Tigers organization, where he was assigned to the Toledo Mud Hens of the Triple-A International League. On May 10, 2026, Workman’s contract was selected by the Tigers and he was added to the active roster after Kerry Carpenter was placed on the injured list. Workman hit his first major league home run that same day, against Nick Mears of the Kansas City Royals. Workman was optioned back to Toledo after Carpenter was activated off the injured list on May 31.
Playing Style and Strengths
Workman is known for his versatility in the infield, having played both third base and shortstop throughout his professional career. His minor league track record shows consistent power-speed combination, with three seasons of 30 or more stolen bases. His ability to impact games both with his bat and on the bases makes him a valuable depth player for the Tigers organization.
Notable MLB Milestones
Workman’s most significant career moment came on May 10, 2026, when he hit his first major league home run for the Detroit Tigers against Nick Mears of the Kansas City Royals. Through May 28, 2026, Workman has appeared in 16 MLB games across three organizations, with a .170 batting average, two home runs, and seven RBI.
Gage Workman Career Highlights
Workman has built a solid minor league career with consistent production across multiple levels. His most impressive professional season came in 2024 with Double-A Erie, where he combined 30 stolen bases with 18 home runs and 89 RBI while batting .280. He was a Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star in 2019 during his college career at Arizona State.
Minor League Highlights
Workman’s professional career has been defined by steady improvement at each level. His 2024 season with Erie SeaWolves stands out as his best professional year, featuring 18 home runs, 89 RBI, and 30 stolen bases while batting .280. He also reached 30 doubles and 30 stolen bases in 2022, demonstrating his ability to impact games in multiple ways.
Other Notable Achievements
During his college career at Arizona State, Workman earned Pac-12 Honorable Mention recognition in 2019. His Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star selection that same summer highlighted his abilities against top collegiate competition.
Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Workman comes from a baseball family. His father, Widd Workman, played baseball at Arizona State University and spent four seasons in the minor leagues with the San Diego Padres. This family connection to both ASU baseball and professional baseball helped shape Workman’s path to the sport from an early age.
Personal Life
Workman is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He chose to skip his mission in order to continue playing college baseball without missing a season. He married his wife, Alexa, in November 2020. His middle name, “Tater,” was his grandfather’s nickname.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Workman’s introduction to Major League Baseball, though it came with significant challenges. After being selected by the Chicago Cubs in the Rule 5 Draft and making his MLB debut on March 29, he appeared in just nine games before being designated for assignment in late April. His brief time with the Cubs included his first MLB stolen base.
Workman was then traded to the Chicago White Sox on April 26. His tenure with the White Sox was even shorter, as a right hip flexor strain placed him on the injured list on May 1 after only three games. He was activated on May 12 but designated for assignment again, leading to his return to the Detroit Tigers organization on May 14, 2025. He spent the remainder of the 2025 season with Triple-A Toledo, continuing his development.
Throughout this turbulent first MLB season that saw him play for three organizations, Workman gained invaluable experience at the highest level. The lessons learned from navigating different clubhouses and playing styles will serve him well in his continued career with the Tigers organization.