The Cleveland Guardians 2024 rotation might not look pretty, but at this point, it is what it is.
The unit lost Shane Bieber to injury and Logan Allen and Triston McKenzie, projected starters before the season, are currently in Triple-A.
Pitching depth option Xzavion Curry was also waived recently.
At the moment, free agent signing Matthew Boyd and trade acquisition Alex Cobb are in the rotation alongside Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, and Ben Lively.
It’s not an elite group, but the team is in first place in the AL Central despite the obstacles along the way.
The future, however, looks brighter for Cleveland’s pitching staff.
Specialists always say that those who strike out the most hitters tend to have better results on the mound, often translated to a better ERA.
“There are currently only 39 pitchers that have an (ERA under 3.00) and (100+ SO) currently on the 2024 season in all minor league baseball. The Cleveland #Guardians have seven of them! Matt Wilkinson – 1.84 ERA / 156 SO, Austin Peterson – 2.44 ERA / 127 SO, Ryan Webb – 2.81 ERA / 121 SO, Rorik Maltrud – 2.87 ERA / 106 SO, Parker Messick – 2.94 ERA / 142 SO, Aaron Davenport – 2.95 ERA / 111 SO,” Guardians Prospective tweeted.
There are currently only 39 pitchers that have an (ERA under 3.00) and (100+ SO) currently on the 2024 season in all minor league baseball.
The Cleveland #Guardians have seven of them!
Matt Wilkinson – 1.84 ERA / 156 SO
Austin Peterson – 2.44 ERA / 127 SO
Ryan Webb – 2.81 ERA…— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) August 18, 2024
There are six pitchers listed there and not seven, but the point stands: the Guardians have a bright future when it comes to pitching.
Wilkinson is probably the best prospect of the bunch, even though he didn’t appear on most preseason rankings.
Most of his growth has occurred during the season.
The man they call “Tugboat” posted a 1.12 ERA in 40.1 innings in Single-A before being promoted to High-A.
There, the lefty has a 2.31 ERA in 62.1 frames.
Between the two levels, he has an impressive 156 punchouts.
Webb and Messick are both top 30 prospects in the organization and having impressive campaigns.
Webb, currently in Triple-A, is the closest to the majors, but Davenport, Peterson, and Messick are in Double-A, also waiting for a promotion.
Maybe none of them are ready to help the Guardians this year, but it’s clear this team will be fed by quality young pitching in the next couple of seasons.
NEXT: Josh Naylor Home Run Not Enough As Guardians Lose Second Straight
