Guardians Breakout Pitcher Says All-Star Selection Would Be ‘Surreal’

The Cleveland Guardians entered the year with one breakout candidate in their rotation, Gavin Williams, and two steady young pitchers with upside in Tanner Bibee and Joey Cantillo. Entering spring training, left-hander Parker Messick wasn’t even supposed to be part of the rotation.

The kid, however, had already impressed the world last year with a 2.72 ERA in a short 39.2-inning cameo. He also enjoyed a fantastic spring this year, experienced a bump in his fastball velocity, and won the fifth and last spot in the rotation over the more experienced Logan Allen.

Now, a little over three months later, we are talking about Messick as not only the best and most reliable pitcher on the Guardians’ rotation, but also as a potential All-Star selection.

Fans select the starting position players who will be on the roster for the Midsummer Classic, but fellow players and the Commissioner’s Office are in charge of picking the arms and the reserves. Maybe fans aren’t acquainted with Messick yet, but his colleagues certainly are.

Messick is currently one of the best starters in the American League. The young lefty has a 2.85 ERA that ranks fourth in the junior circuit, in 101 innings. Only Cam Schlittler, Drew Rasmussen, and Nick Martinez have a better ERA.

Additionally, the southpaw is also fourth in the American League in fWAR with 2.8, and he has been running laps around Williams, who is at 1.7 as of Thursday afternoon. Messick is no longer a surprise: he is here to stay.

In an appearance on the ‘Foul Territory’ podcast, Messick said that being selected to the All-Star Game would be ‘surreal’.

“I’m thankful to the Lord that I’m in this position. If it happens, it would mean the world,” he said.

Parker Messick says an All-Star selection would be "surreal."

"I'm thankful to the Lord that I'm in this position. If it happens, it would mean the world." pic.twitter.com/JDIDuy3wAU

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) July 2, 2026

Being in the Midsummer Classic is a personal goal for many players around the league. In many cases, it feels like all the work they have put in has been validated.

Obviously, we are not there yet with Messick. The All-Star rosters haven’t been finalized, but at this point, leaving him out of the game would be extremely unfair. He has earned his place.

He will be on the roster, in all likelihood. At this point, he is the Guardian with the most chances of playing in Philadelphia on July 14.