The Cleveland Guardians are still in the process of putting together their rotation for the 2025 season.
Despite not having a good showing in the Cactus League, Luis L. Ortiz seems to be a lock to make the unit.
After a series of trades, the Guardians essentially flipped Andrés Gimenez for Ortiz and prospects, so you would think that the main return from those deals will get a fair shot.
Besides that, Ortiz should be judged by what happened over 135.2 MLB innings last year (3.32 ERA with the Pittsburgh Pirates) and not by his 11.66 ERA in 14.2 spring training innings so far in 2025.
One former Cleveland star is one of Ortiz’s most fervent backers.
“Despite struggling in spring training, Carlos Baerga has high hopes for Luis Ortiz,” The Carlos Baerga Show wrote on X.
Despite struggling in spring training, @baergacarlos has high hopes for Luis Ortiz. #ForTheLand
What are your thoughts on the Guardians' new pitcher?
Watch @baergashow in the FREE @BIGPLAY app: https://t.co/cwZQ3EIKmg pic.twitter.com/nWh8daNuzX
— Carlos Baerga Show (@BaergaShow) March 22, 2025
Baerga is aware that Ortiz is not excelling in spring training, but he watched him pitch last year and came away impressed.
“I think he can help us a lot,” Baerga said.
The former infielder implied that it’s common for pitchers entering a new organization to struggle a bit out of the gate, but he is confident Ortiz will turn things around because Cleveland “has the best pitching coach in the league,” referring to Carl Willis.
Baerga has a fair point, as Willis has worked miracles with pitchers with less talent than Ortiz.
He is a pitcher with good velocity who made huge strides with his control last year, and that was the key to his breakout.
Even if the Guardians can’t help him improve his 19.2 percent strikeout rate, his floor makes him a solid No. 3 or No. 4 starter on any staff, with the ceiling much higher than that.
NEXT: Guardians Pitcher Moves Closer To Securing Rotation Spot
