The Cleveland Guardians’ rotation will have Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee, and Slade Cecconi at the top. Those three are virtual locks to make the team and be part of the initial group of starting pitchers taking the ball every five days.
Three southpaws will vie for the last two slots, but two of them are heavy favorites: Logan Allen and Joey Cantillo.
That leaves Parker Messick on the outside looking, or at least that’s the most likely scenario, because he has three minor league options remaining. Allen has one remaining, and Cantillo is without options.
Messick, however, is doing everything in his power to persuade the Guardians to take him with them when they face the Seattle Mariners on Opening Day. On Monday, he had another solid outing in the Cactus League.
“Parker Messick (CLE) threw 4.2 shutout innings against the Royals on Monday,” Pitcher List Stats posted on X.
Parker Messick (CLE) threw 4.2 shutout innings against the Royals on Monday pic.twitter.com/QZ8siLlkCN
— Pitcher List Stats (@PitcherListPLV) March 9, 2026
He conceded no runs on two hits and a walk, fanning four in the spring masterpiece. But the most encouraging development had to do with his fastball.
Messick’s heater averaged 92.8 mph in his seven-start cameo last year, in which he put up a 2.72 ERA. On Monday, his four-seamer was clocked at 93.1 mph on average, which means he is already showing increased velocity in spring training.
The hardest pitch he threw on Monday checked in at 95.8 mph, impressive work for this time of the year. While many pitchers are ramping up and getting themselves ready for the season, Messick is already in midseason form, throwing harder than ever.
To make matters better, Messick’s fastball is thrown from a deceptive, low arm slot, making it look even faster. It might not have elite velocity, but the pitch appears to be major-league quality.
Messick’s spring training ERA is now down to a pristine 1.93. He is telling the world that he deserves to be the Guardians’ fifth starter, regardless of the outcome of the race.
Will his performance be enough to get him a spot on Cleveland’s rotation? Or will other factors come into play in the decision?
NEXT: Young Guardians Player Showing Growth In Camp
