Heading into spring training, three-fifths of the Cleveland Guardians rotation was basically set.
Tanner Bibee is the ace for at least the first half of the season until Shane Bieber comes back and returns to form.
Gavin Williams, who is enjoying a brilliant spring, is also a lock to start, and the organization invested valuable resources in Luis L. Ortiz not to give him a spot.
The Guardians boast so much starting pitching depth that they have seven or eight hurlers vying for the remaining two spots in the rotation.
Guardians Prospective offered an updated look at the competition and how each pitcher is faring to this point.
“Cleveland #Guardians 4/5 rotation spots competition spring stats through 3/7/25. Allard 6.0(IP) 5H 1BB 6SO 1.50 ERA, Allen 7.2(IP) 4H 2BB 7SO 1.17 ERA, Cantillo 6.0(IP) 7H 6BB 6SO 6.00 ERA, Cecconi 5.1(IP) 11H 4BB 5SO 16.88 ERA, Lively 5.0(IP) 6H 2BB 4SO 1.80 ERA, McKenzie 2.2(IP) 2H 5BB 1SO 13.50 ERA, Nikhazy 7.0(IP) 1H 2BB 10SO 0.00 ERA, Velazquez 5.0(IP) 5H 4BB 4SO 5.40 ERA,” he posted on X.
Cleveland #Guardians 4/5 rotation spots competition spring stats through 3/7/25.
Allard 6.0(IP) 5H 1BB 6SO 1.50 ERA
Allen 7.2(IP) 4H 2BB 7SO 1.17 ERA
Cantillo 6.0(IP) 7H 6BB 6SO 6.00 ERA
Cecconi 5.1(IP) 11H 4BB 5SO 16.88 ERA
Lively 5.0(IP) 6H 2BB 4SO 1.80 ERA
McKenzie 2.2(IP) 2H…— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) March 8, 2025
At this point, it’s clear Cecconi isn’t the favorite to get a spot.
He appears to be working on some things but the effectiveness on the mound just hasn’t been there.
Maybe the most positive development for the Guards in the rotation battle has been the excellent run of form of two lefties: Logan Allen and Doug Nikhazy.
Triston McKenzie and Ben Lively are still the favorites to get the two remaining openings in the staff, but Allen and Nikhazy are pushing hard for a spot.
Joey Cantillo was much better on Friday and should also be seen as a strong candidate, while Kolby Allard and Vince Velazquez are depth arms having a good camp, particularly the former.
Nikhazy has probably been the most impressive arm in Cleveland’s camp and there has been talk about him making the roster as a reliever if he can’t crack the rotation.
He has been that good.
The most encouraging takeaway is that while other squads are already dealing with pitching injuries, the Guardians staff has remained relatively healthy.
They hope that’s the case when camp breaks.
NEXT: Guardians Log 12 Extra-Base Hits In Win Against Athletics On Friday
