Cleveland Guardians Allowing Tanner Bibee To Be His Own Pitcher
The Cleveland Guardians have become known as one of MLB’s premier teams in terms of developing pitchers.
In 2023, Cleveland had three starting pitchers make their MLB debuts this season and become key components of the team’s starting rotation.
Right-hander Tanner Bibee performed the best this year, being named to MLB Pipeline’s All-Rookie First Team and a finalist for American League Rookie of the Year.
The 24-year-old recently made an appearance on the baseball podcast Foul Territory, during which he discussed Cleveland’s approach to developing him.
Bibee described how instead of making him conform to a preferred pitching style, the Guardians wanted him to be himself.
“I think what Cleveland did, when I first got drafted, they were like, ‘What kind of pitcher do you want to be?’ And they asked me first before giving their opinion. And I’ve always kind of wanted to be the overpowering fastball guy, but be able to throw all the pitches for strikes. And they were like, ‘Okay, we agree. Let’s throw a riding fastball, let’s throw a slider that looks like a fastball, let’s throw a changeup that looks like a fastball.’”
Aug 8, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee (61) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Progressive Field.
© David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
He also explained Cleveland’s understanding that its players are constantly developing over the course of their careers.
“I think at that point, they want to find out what you’re best at and what you’re able to do before you can absolutely lock down what you can do in the future. Just because there’s so many things. You’re never going to be a finished product, ever. That’s their kind of philosophy for it. And every day, you need to keep refining stuff, keep getting better.”
Guardians fans are hoping that Bibee can build on his fantastic 2024 season, as he has quickly become one of the best young pitchers in baseball.
