The Cleveland Guardians currently need a top reliever who can get the ball and get them out of tough situations in the late innings. They want someone they can trust in high-leverage situations. In short, they would love someone who can fill in Shawn Armstrong’s shoes.
Armstrong had a rather mediocre season before going down with a calf injury this past week, but he was signed to be a late-inning complement to Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis, and Erik Sabrowski. Unfortunately, he couldn’t do it.
Many analysts and fans believe that the Guardians should go to the trade market and acquire multiple high-leverage relievers ahead of the deadline. What if part of the solution is already in the house, though?
Enter Franco Aleman. The 26-year-old had an amazing performance in Game 1 of Tuesday’s doubleheader, dropping his season ERA to an impressive 1.32. Does he deserve more chances?
“Electric! Cleveland Guardians RHP Franco Aleman struck out five of six batters he faced in game one of today’s doubleheader vs the Reds. Line: 2.0 (IP), 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 SO; (24 pitches, 20 Strikes); Season numbers: – 13.2 (IP), 8 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 16 SO, 1.32 ERA,” Guardians Prospective said.
Electric! ⚡️⚡️⚡️
Cleveland #Guardians RHP Franco Aleman struckout five of six batters he faced in game one of today's doubleheader vs the Reds.
Line – 2.0(IP) 0H 0R 0ER 0BB 5SO
(24 Pitches 20 Strikes)
Season numbers:
– 13.2(IP) 8H 2ER 5BB 16SO 1.32 ERA#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/F496LEMVy4
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) July 29, 2026
Aleman’s strikeout potential is off the charts. The way he can dominate hitters with his excellent, high-voltage fastball and his wipeout slider is unbelievable. It’s all a matter of trust.
Bullpen roles in the major leagues are very much like relationships: earning that trust can take a long time, but a couple of mishaps, or bad outings in this case, can destroy everything. Aleman is slowly giving manager Stephen Vogt reasons to trust him with his play.
For the season, the exciting right-hander has a 1.32 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 13.2 innings pitched. He has done his best work in Triple-A, though, where he boasts a 0.32 ERA in 28.1 frames, fanning a whopping 43 hitters against just seven walks.
If given a prominent bullpen role in Cleveland, Aleman has a solid chance to enter that circle of trust. That doesn’t mean the Guardians don’t have to bring in relief pitching help, but the pressure to do so is definitely lower if Aleman can lock down a spot.
NEXT: Stephen Vogt Pinpoints Guardians' Biggest Problem
