Predicting Guardians Starting Rotation, Pre-Spring Training Edition
Pitchers and catchers reported to Goodyear, Arizona on Monday as the first phase of spring training is underway. Now is a perfect time to take a look at what this Cleveland Guardians starting rotation could look like on Opening Day.
Shane Bieber
Shane Bieber has survived the trade rumors that were the main storyline of the team's offseason. He's on the roster heading into spring training and as long as he's the team will be at the top of the rotation.
Fans should be optimistic about Bieber's potential heading into the season. He wrapped his offseason workout with Driveline Baseball with his fastball and curveball looking like they were back in his 2020 Cy Young season.
Triston McKenzie
The biggest question mark with Triston Mckenzie won't be whether he's good enough to be in the starting rotation. It's whether or not he'll be healthy enough to be in the rotation.
McKenzie has said on multiple occasions this offseason workload has gone well and he's ready to get spring training and the regular season underway. Sticks is excited to be back on the mound and fans are just as excited to watch him pitch!
Tanner Bibee
Tanner Bibee put together a season that landed him second in the American League Rookie of the Year race. There's no question that he'll be in the rotation on Opening Day. The only unknown left is whether he officially establishes himself as the team's ace.
Gavin Williams
Just like Bibee, Gavin Williams put together a fantastic rookie season which resulted in a historic stretch. The biggest adjustment he needs to make heading into 2024 is working on his consistency, but that's not a big enough concern to think he won't be a starter.
Sep 6, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams (63) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
© Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Logan Allen
Logan Allen may not have put up historic numbers like Bibee and Williams, but he still had a strong rookie campaign and there's zero reason to think he could lose his spot in the rotation.
Yes, Allen did struggle to get deep into games and a rising pitch count last year. But he still finished with a respectable 3.81 ERA coming off his rookie season and there's still. This is the sort of production any team would be happy to have out of the middle of their rotation.
Honorable Mention - Carlos Carrasco
Let's say the unthinkable happens. Let's say Cleveland's pitching staff can't stay healthy or the trio of second-year starters hit a sophomore slump. If that's the case and someone needs to step into the rotation outside of the already mentioned five, then Carlos Carrasco is the number one candidate to be the next man up.
The other two options would be Hunter Gaddis and Xzavion Curry. However, Carrasco has the most experience as a starter out of this trio presumably making him the most likely candidate to fill this role.
