Breaking Down Guardians’ 2023 Organizational All-Stars: Pitchers

Gavin Williams, Will Dion, and Tyler Thornton were named Cleveland’s 2023 Organizational All-Star pitchers. Williams and Dion each earned their second consecutive Organizational All-Star selection.

On Thursday, MLB.com announced MiLB.com’s 2023 Organizational All-Stars for the Cleveland Guardians. These are, “the players, -- regardless of age or prospect status -- who had the best seasons” in the Cleveland farm system.

In our last 2023 Organizational All-Stars breakdown, we examined the outfielders represented on the list.

Now, here is a breakdown of the Guardians’ 2023 Organizational All-Star pitchers.

Gavin Williams (RH Starting Pitcher)

Cleveland’s 2021 first-round pick did not last long in Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus this year, getting promoted to MLB on June 21st.

Akron RubberDucks pitcher Gavin Williams throws a third-inning pitch against Erie, Thursday, April 6, 2023. RubberDucks Opener 3 :: © Phil Masturzo / USA TODAY NETWORK

However, he earned his second consecutive Organizational All-Star selection, going 4-2 with a 2.39 ERA, 81 strikeouts, 0.90 WHIP, and .170 opposing batting average in 12 starts.

Will Dion (LH Starting Pitcher)

Cleveland’s 27th-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline also earned his second consecutive Organizational All-Star selection.

#Guardians 23yr old LHP prospect Will Dion picked up his 2nd win with Double-A Akron last night striking out 7 over 6.0 scoreless innings vs Richmond.

Line - 6.0(IP) 2H 0R 0ER 1BB 7SO (80 Pitches 52 Strikes)

Last 4 - 24.0(IP) 19H 4R 4ER 3BB 25SO 1.50 ERA#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/qDlSfNxn9w

— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) July 20, 2023

This season, Dion went 6-4 with a 2.39 ERA, 129 strikeouts, 1.08 WHIP, and .206 opposing average in 26 appearances (19 starts) across High-A Lake County and Double-A Akron.

The Guardians’ Pitching Prospect of the Year was one of just 12 Minor League pitchers with at least 120 strikeouts and less than 36 walks.

Tyler Thornton (Relief Pitcher)

A 17th-round pick by Cleveland in the 2021 MLB Draft, Thornton emerged as one of the Guardians’ premier relief pitching prospects this season.

He made 40 appearances across High-A Lake County and Double-A Akron, going 5-1 with a 2.66 ERA, 10 saves (11 opportunities), 79 strikeouts, 1.09 WHIP, and .138 opposing batting average.

#Guardians 22yr old RHP relief prospect Tyler Thornton struckout the side for the @LCCaptains in his last outing Sunday. Thornton is putting up some ridiculous numbers so far in 2023.

G) 10
SV) 4
IP) 12.1
SO) 28
SO/9) 20.43
SO%) 52.8%
AVG) .127
ERA) 2.19
FIP) 1.07#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/VR18f0OfEc

— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) May 16, 2023

The 23-year-old’s 15.99 strikeouts per nine innings in 34.1 innings pitched with Lake County led all of High-A (min. 32 innings pitched).

The Guardians had six originally developed players make their MLB debut for Cleveland in 2023. With their farm system’s abundance of talent, there should be some new debuts in 2024.