The start of the 2025 MLB regular season is approaching quickly, which is incredibly exciting for baseball fans.
Every camp has had a few standout performers so far, and MLB.com has put together an entertaining list of one player from each team who has impressed in spring training.
The Cleveland Guardians have had several players shine in camp. Kyle Manzardo looks like the real deal, Doug Nikhazy and Logan Allen were off to solid starts, and Daniel Schneemann and Tyler Freeman have been the most productive infielders.
The best of them all, however, has been Gavin Williams.
The right-hander impressed as a rookie in 2023 with a 3.29 ERA in 16 starts but struggled with a 4.86 ERA last year after an elbow injury derailed his preparation in spring training.
“This spring, he again looks like a guy who could be a force near the top of Cleveland’s rotation. Williams’ fastball has regained the vertical movement that allows it to play up in the zone, after it played more like a sinker last season. He’s allowed one run in eight innings heading into Sunday, and he’s struck out 16 batters with only two walks over three starts this spring,” Tim Stebbins wrote.
The explanation behind the dominance of Williams’ fastball is perhaps the most important takeaway.
Getting whiffs up in the zone is a big part of Williams’ game, pairing the pitch with his incredible curveball and slider.
He has been doing it this spring and the results have been magnificent.
To top it off, his heater looks better than ever, with 98 mph darts to hitters who have looked helpless against him, aided by that vertical movement Stebbins refers to.
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