With Joey Cantillo back in the minors, the Cleveland Guardians have to explore their pitching options.
Tim Stebbins of MLB.com proposed that they could give one top prospect a chance, as he’s been turning heads in Triple-A.
“The Guardians optioned lefty Joey Cantillo to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday, creating a sudden opening in their starting rotation as the season enters the stretch run. For what it’s worth, the Guardians have an opening on their 40-man roster, and lefty Parker Messick (their No. 12 prospect) has put himself on the map for a potential callup with his strong season in Columbus,” Stebbins wrote.
The 24-year-old has a 3.47 ERA in 98.2 innings for the Clippers.
In 20 starts, he has 119 strikeouts and 42 walks.
The Guardians selected him in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft, and he represented the organization in the All-Star Futures Game this season.
The decision to option Cantillo was somewhat surprising, considering that he was slated to start against the Arizona Diamondbacks this week.
He began the season in the bullpen before a demotion to Columbus, and they called him back in early July to take Luis L. Ortiz’s spot after he was placed on non-disciplinary leave due to a sports gambling investigation.
The Guardians just dropped three games in a row for the first time in more than a month to fall to 5-5 in their past 10 games, and they can’t afford to slump again after dominating since the All-Star break.
Perhaps Messick will be just what the doctor ordered, and it’ll be interesting to see what they decide to do.
NEXT: Stephen Vogt Reacts To Tough Series Sweep Against Braves
