Many fans believe that the Cleveland Guardians should have brought in at least another top-tier starter.
While the organization has certainly addressed the rotation with Luis L. Ortiz, Slade Cecconi, Jakob Junis, Vince Velazquez, and others, they haven’t landed that ace or top-tier hurler some people expected before the start of the season.
Some have even called the Guardians cheap, and hey, they might have a point.
However, the fact that they believe in their coaches and player development staff, not to mention in the talent of their pitchers, also factors into the analysis.
They have highly qualified people making sure everyone can be the best version of himself in the organization.
The lack of high-profile additions means that Gavin Williams is expected to be a middle-of-the-rotation contributor.
Despite what his 4.86 2024 ERA might indicate, Williams might be primed for a huge bounceback season.
He has had a relatively uneventful offseason and start of the spring, working and preparing for when it’s time to take the mound.
Gavin Williams throws bullpen session on Sunday in Goodyear. pic.twitter.com/iHl0ZlQtAl
— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) February 23, 2025
In his case, no news is good news: his elbow, which forced him to miss some time last year and likely had some influence on his performance after returning from the injury, has been healthy for all intents and purposes.
He has been throwing bullpens and preparing for the season.
A fully healthy Williams can be in the mid-to-high 90s with his fastball and throw nasty curveballs like this one:
Gavin Williams, 81mph Hammer. 🔨 pic.twitter.com/bu1oxecCaL
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 2, 2024
Stuff-wise, he is among the most impressive arms on the Guardians besides Shane Bieber.
Williams posted a 3.29 ERA in 82 frames in 2023 as a rookie, and the Guardians know he can get back to that pitcher as he gets further removed from his elbow issues.
This is a pitcher whose worst stint in the minor leagues before the episode with the elbow last year yielded a 2.93 ERA in 46 Triple-A innings.
The arm talent is there for Williams to become an elite pitcher in the American League.
Will 2025 be the year in which he pitches at least 150 frames of an ERA in the high 2.00s or the low 3.00s?
NEXT: Orioles Broadcaster Reveals What Guardians Are Getting With John Means
