Pat McAfee Says Guardians Pitching Prospect Is A ‘Menace’

The World Baseball Classic is designed as a showcase for the most well-known players in the game in a best-on-best competition. But with 20 countries from around the globe participating, it also allows lesser-known players to make a name for themselves.

Or in the case of Cleveland Guardians prospect Matt Wilkinson, a nickname for himself. Known as “Tugboat” since his days as a Little League World Series star, Wilkinson left quite an impression pitching for Canada in the WBC.

At 6-foot-1, 250 pounds, throwing something known as the “Invisi-ball,” Wilkinson was noticed for his appearance and emotional reactions on the mound as much as his effectiveness. So much so, even Pat McAfee felt compelled to comment.

The ESPN host recently said that the Guardians pitching prospect is a “menace,” and he’d love for his favorite team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, to get the burly left-hander.

“Tugboat (Matt Wilkinson), I’d like to apologize. I appreciate you, Tugboat, living your life, and you’re a menace on the mound. He’s outrageous. This guy is a professional baseball player. Tugboat don’t care at all. Tugboat was a problem,” McAfee said.

Tugboat is OUTRAGEOUS #PMSLive https://t.co/29TbVpFQNU pic.twitter.com/8uh3MIZ6JH

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 16, 2026

Wilkinson was a 10th-round draft pick by Cleveland in the 2023 MLB Draft. The 23-year-old has pitched only as high as Single-A+, almost exclusively as a starter, and in 50 appearances, he has a 2.98 ERA and a 1.122 WHIP in 223.2 innings.

His draft status and minor league progression to date could put him on the Guardians’ major league radar. If his electric performance in the WBC has anything to do with it, those plans could be accelerated.

In two appearances for Canada, Wilkinson struck out four batters, walked two, and did not allow a hit or a run in 2.2 innings, relying on his deceptive 90 mph fastball. With Guardians teammate Bo Naylor as a catcher, Canada won Pool A but was eliminated in the quarterfinals by the United States.

Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, it is not the first time Wilkinson has represented his country in a major tournament. In 2015, he struck out 16 batters in a LLWS game.

With that background and personality, it could be a treat to see him pitch for the Guardians someday.