Analyst Says Guardians Pitcher Is A ‘Big Question Mark’ This Season

Cleveland Guardians starter Triston McKenzie had a rough outing in Cactus League play on Thursday, allowing three runs and a whopping five walks in just 0.2 innings of work.

He had no idea where the ball was going, which was a bummer considering his first spring start had been successful.

Unfortunately, Thursday’s outing was in line with what he produced last year in MLB.

In 2024, McKenzie had to be demoted to Triple-A after posting a 5.11 ERA in 75.2 innings in the majors.

He walked 49 hitters, which is more than the 44 bases on balls he gave away in his brilliant 2022 in 191.1 frames.

Guardians writer Chris Assenheimer, who has been covering the team since the late nineties, weighed in on McKenzie and his outlook for 2025.

In short: he doesn’t trust him.

“@CAwesomeheimer on @CLETalkingHeads: It’s really hard to count on Triston McKenzie; he’s a really big question mark for the #Guardians this season,” 92.3 The Fan posted on X, with a link to Assenheimer’s remarks in the Baskin and Phelps show.

.@CAwesomeheimer on @CLETalkingHeads: It's really hard to count on Triston McKenzie; he's a really big question mark for the #Guardians this season https://t.co/R1plmO35ms

— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) February 28, 2025

The insider says that the team is giving McKenzie as much of a chance as they can, but it’s hard to trust him.

“They have seen flashes of brilliance from him and they know it’s in there, so they are giving him as much leash as they can. All you heard last year was how the guy needed surgery, and then he doesn’t have it and you wonder why not. It’s really tough to count on him after you’ve seen the track record,” he said.

McKenzie is pitching with a UCL tear, and while it’s reportedly a partial one, it has clearly affected him in the command department.

It sapped some velocity from him last year, too, but a positive offseason helped him throw harder and build some optimism.

It won’t matter if he can’t consistently throw strikes, though.

“I’d say whatever he gives you this year is a bonus. I know people are penciling him in the rotation, but I just don’t see it. I think he is too big of a question mark,” Assenheimer explained.