The Cleveland Guardians continue to build one of the most intriguing young pitching pipelines in baseball, and one rising arm is already generating buzz after an impressive showing this spring.
Joey Oakie, one of the organization’s promising young pitchers, recently took the mound in the Spring Breakout game and delivered a performance that reinforced why the Guardians are so excited about his future.
For Oakie, the outing wasn’t just about results. It was a reflection of how far he has come in a short period of time.
“It’s great because I feel like there were two parts of last year,” Oakie said. “I got a lot better in between it, and now I feel like I’ve taken another step since last year. I’m really excited to get out there this year.”
That confidence showed on the field.
Oakie tossed two scoreless innings, allowing just two singles and one walk while striking out three batters. His strong arm stood out, but what may have been even more encouraging was the continued growth in his velocity.
Joey Oakie comes in and wastes no time notching a K!#SpringBreakout #GuardsSpring pic.twitter.com/37Skow9W2W
— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) March 19, 2026
The right-hander consistently worked in the upper-90s, with multiple pitches reaching at least 97 mph and topping out near 99 mph. For a 19-year-old pitcher still early in his development, that kind of velocity combined with improving command is a strong indicator of future upside.
Guardians coaches have taken notice of that progress as well.
“It’s fun to see him,” said Erlin Cerda, the Guardians’ Spring Breakout manager. “He was around 94, 95 last year, and then he just started getting up, getting up. That means he’s doing what he needs to do to put himself in a really good position.”
Oakie’s development path has already shown encouraging signs. After beginning last season in the Arizona Complex League, he experienced the typical adjustment period that comes with transitioning into professional baseball.
However, once he settled in, the results quickly improved.
Following a midseason promotion to Single-A, Oakie posted a strong finish, including a 2.22 ERA over his final stretch while showing improved command and confidence on the mound. That late-season surge appears to have carried over into 2026.
Beyond the velocity, Oakie is continuing to refine his pitch mix. He complements his fastball with a slider, sweeper, changeup, and sinker, giving him multiple weapons to keep hitters off balance.
Oakie is expected to begin the season in the minors, where he will continue to develop consistency and refine his approach. Like most young pitchers, maintaining command and building endurance will be key areas of focus.
NEXT: Insider Says Guardians Veteran’s Roster Spot Is In Serious Jeopardy
