The Cleveland Guardians bullpen is, statistically, the best in baseball.
It is a blend of young talent such as Emmanuel Clase (he is 26!), rookie Cade Smith, Tim Herrin and others with veterans such as Scott Barlow, just to name one.
The most impressive thing of all is that even with the depth and quality already existing at the MLB roster, there is more help on the way if the team needs it.
James Karinchak, for example, has joined Triple-A and is ready for rehab appearances following a lengthy shoulder injury rehab.
They also have an impressive right-handed relief prospect who deserves a call-up already.
His name is Andrew Walters, and you will be hearing from him soon.
“Guardians 23yr old RHP relief prospect Andrew Walters punched out a pair of Durham batters tonight in a scoreless inning of work for Columbus. Line – 1.0(IP) 0H 0R 0ER 1BB 2SO. Walters has now gone 14 straight appearances without allowing a run – 11.2(IP) 5H 0R 0ER 2BB 15SO 0.00 ERA. 2024 season:- 49.1(IP) 33H 13R 13ER 25BB 78SO 2.37 ERA,” Guardians Prospective posted on X.
#Guardians 23yr old RHP relief prospect Andrew Walters punched out a pair of Durham batters tonight in a scoreless inning of work for Columbus.
Line – 1.0(IP) 0H 0R 0ER 1BB 2SO
Walters has now gone 14 straight appearances without allowing a run.
– 11.2(IP) 5H 0R 0ER 2BB 15SO… pic.twitter.com/VARQFCV20z
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) September 6, 2024
If you think Smith has made a huge impact on the Guardians bullpen, wait until Walters is up in the bigs.
The statistical profile is actually very similar, with a low ERA and a high strikeouts output.
Walters was the Guardians’ 62nd pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, and there is a very good chance he is already MLB-ready.
The fastball is rather unique and it’s his best pitch, but he has also made strides with a hard slider.
He has all the ingredients to be successful in Cleveland.
Will we see him up in MLB this year?
NEXT: Guardians Reliever To Start Rehab Assignment
