The Cleveland Guardians’ rotation is universally praised for its consistency this year. Not only that, but the top five guys have been able to stay healthy all season, and that’s huge. It brings stability to the unit.
Parker Messick has made the leap from roster hopeful to staff ace, Gavin Williams has improved his control and is as steady as a rock, and Tanner Bibee and Slade Cecconi are fine mid-rotation options.
We can’t forget about Joey Cantillo’s contributions, either. The left-hander’s previous career-high in innings pitched was 95.1, achieved last year. In 2026, however, he is already at 101.
His evolution on the mound goes well beyond the numbers, though. He used to crumble in the past when adversity came, leading to his losing the strike zone and allowing the big inning.
That’s not the case anymore. Cantillo looks more focused and more mature. That has been one of the biggest changes he has experienced since last year, per analyst Cade Cracas.
“I asked him, ‘What’s been the biggest jump from 2025 Joey Cantillo to 2026 Joey Cantillo?’ And he just said that mindset and maturity. He doesn’t get rattled anymore. He doesn’t go out there on the mound and start to self-destruct when things get awry. I know his average is sitting at the five-inning mark, but Joey Cantillo just looks like a guy who is set to be in this rotation moving forward,” Cracas said.
"Joey Cantillo just looks like a guy who is set to be in this rotation moving forward."
– @cracascade on Cantillo's breakout first half of 2026 pic.twitter.com/gJophEbobm
— Cleveland Guardians on SI (@GuardsOnSI) July 14, 2026
He posted a 3.21 ERA last year, but he shared time between the bullpen and the rotation. He is now a full-time starter, and his 3.56 ERA suggests he has reached a level of consistency and stability that he didn’t show in his early years trying to break through the major league staff.
Cantillo still has to improve his control, as his BB% rose from 10.5 to 11.4 percent this year. He is finding ways to get out of trouble and learning to find opposing hitters’ weaknesses, though. He is learning how to pitch, and that shows up in the box score every five days.
Cantillo is not perfect. He is not an ace. However, he is a rock-solid mid-rotation starter with youth and upside, and that’s perfectly fine.
NEXT: Insider Reveals Potential Return Date For 2 Key Guardians Players
