The Cleveland Guardians are set to face the Seattle Mariners for the third time in three days in a busy opening week schedule. They will do it with Joey Cantillo on the mound, who is set to face one of the most underrated pitchers in the American League: Bryan Woo.
There is no reason why Cantillo can’t be considered one of the most underrated pitchers in the league himself one day if he works hard and improves his fastball. He definitely has that potential.
In fact, you might very well argue that the lefty’s breakout actually started last year. Cantillo finished the 2025 campaign with a 3.21 ERA in 95.1 innings. He did it as a member of the Guardians’ six-man rotation that shook up the world and led a furious comeback in the AL Central standings in September.
Cantillo was brilliant in that last month, which is why we say his breakout started last year. In his last seven starts of the 2025 campaign, dating back to August 9, the southpaw posted a minuscule 1.59 ERA in 39.2 frames, with 36 punchouts.
After a rather mediocre spring, he hung four scoreless innings on the Arizona Diamondbacks in his most recent tune-up outing on Monday, with no walks, one hit, and six strikeouts. He is clearly ready to pick up right where he left off last year.
He will face a tough Mariners squad that ranked sixth in wRC+ vs. lefties last year, with a 108 mark. Cantillo, however, is not your typical southpaw.
His best pitch is a fantastic changeup, which actually plays better against righties. He had a 3.23 FIP vs. righties and a 4.47 mark vs. lefties in 2025.
In any case, he will have his hands full with the Mariners’ strong lineup, featuring the likes of Brendan Donovan, Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez, Josh Naylor, Randy Arozarena, Dominic Canzone, and others.
Cantillo’s fastball is a bit too hittable, but his curveball is actually an underrated weapon that he should be using more often. His elite extension helps the heater play well, though, or at least well enough.
If Cantillo can make at least some gains with his four-seamer, he could break through big-time in 2026. He already posted a brilliant 2.96 ERA as a starting pitcher last year, so he is definitely better than you think and could elevate his ceiling even more. Some would even say he has All-Star potential.
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