Gavin Williams was, in 2025, the Cleveland Guardians’ best starter with a 3.06 ERA and 173 strikeouts. He made 31 starts, won 12 games, and lost just five.
He entered the 2026 campaign with a chance to claim the unofficial ‘ace’ title in Cleveland. And even though Parker Messick has a lower ERA so far, it’s safe to say that Williams has taken that step forward and cemented his place as the Guardians’ rotation leader.
Yes, Williams can be as wild as his 17 walks attest. That’s tied for the fourth-highest tally in the majors and is coming off a season in which he led the league in bases on balls. However, Williams has brought down his ERA by almost a run and continues to strike out hitters at an incredible rate.
Guardians analyst Cade Cracas said that Williams definitely deserves some Cy Young consideration. We are still far from awards season, but it’s clear Williams belongs in the conversation when discussing the best and most dominant starters of 2026.
“I think you have to [include Gavin Williams in the Cy Young conversation] just because of his 2.12 ERA across five starts. He looks really good right now. His WHIP is 1.01. The one that has the least amount of hits given up [among Guardians pitchers] are tied right now—it’s Gavin Williams and Parker Messick, but Williams has a game over him as well, which is the impressive part. Through five games, he’s averaging about two hits every game or so. He’s giving up nothing right now,” Cracas said.
Cy Gav? #GuardsBall@CracasCade makes the case for Gavin Williams to win the Cy Young. 👀
presented by @FanDuel https://t.co/zX3esDM8c2 pic.twitter.com/bleF2eFZWd
— The Daily Guards (@DailyGuards) April 20, 2026
Yes, Williams’ control is not always the best, but he’s so hard to hit that he’s able to keep running low WHIP marks. He has given up just 13 hits in 29.2 frames, an amazing rate for a starter.
Combine that with his incredible 34.8 percent strikeout rate, and you have a blossoming ace. For reference, Williams struck out 24.6 percent of the hitters he faced last year, an already healthy number. He is now flirting with the 35 percent mark.
If the Cy Young Award winner were to be selected right now, Williams would surely be a top contender. Messick has been impressive, and the same can be said about Dylan Cease or Cam Schlittler, but the Guardians’ new ace is right up there with them.
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