It took a while, but the Cleveland Guardians found a gem to help their starting rotation for years to come.
Parker Messick made his way to the majors after a strong season at Triple-A, and it didn’t take long to prove that he belonged.
The young lefty turned plenty of heads in his late-season action.
But more than his repertoire, it seems like the Guardians were even more impressed by his character.
“(Pitching coordinator) Michael Peoples commented on Messick’s maturity, saying that ‘Parker did a great job once he got to the big leagues of continuing to be himself.’ He also highlighted how invested Messick is in his development, saying that he’s ‘hungry to get better every day,'” Mario Crescibene wrote.
Messick joined the Guardians at a time of need.
Manager Stephen Vogt chose to use a six-man rotation, as they would have to play 24 games in as many days, including a doubleheader.
Fortunately for them, the rookie didn’t disappoint.
He was up to the task from his arrival, and he looked poised, calm and in control, as if he were a veteran who had been in the majors for a decade.
Now, he should be considered a strong candidate to be in the starting rotation at the beginning of next season.
The Guardians were searching for another talented left-hander, and Messick’s combination of command and aggressiveness made him a valuable member of the staff in his first MLB stretch.
He has the potential to be an ace, and there’s certainly an opportunity.
NEXT: Guardians Named Favorites To Sign Intriguing Catcher Prospect
