Analyst Predicts Guardians Pitcher Will Be Cy Young Contender
The Cleveland Guardians’ bullpen is universally admired for its depth and quality.
The majority of fans and analysts say it will be, at the very least, a top-five unit.
Their rotation, however, hasn’t gotten the same kind of respect.
A renowned analyst and researcher, however, has given the unit its flowers.
Eno Sarris said, on MLB Now, that run prevention in Cleveland will be elite.
Sarris basically said he loves the top end of the Guardians’ rotation, the backend, and the overall depth.
He spoke highly of Gavin Williams, whom he considers a legitimate Cy Young candidate in the American League.
“I think Gavin Williams could be a Cy Young contender this year,” Sarris said
Williams ranked highly in Sarris’ favorite, Stuff+, and the latter loves all his pitches.
The analyst also spoke highly of Tanner Bibee and Luis L. Ortiz.
As it has happened in recent years, everything will come down to the offense for Cleveland, and Sarris feels the same way.
He says run prevention won’t be a problem, and implies the bats will make or break the Guardians’ 2025 campaign.
He sees them in the postseason, though.
Let’s all remember that there will be a star pitcher joining the top of this rotation in a month or two: Shane Bieber.
With the 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner eventually making his return, some nasty pitchers rounding out the rotation and a top bullpen, the Guardians’ young offense will get a chance to impress and improve.
Red Sox Trade Pitch With Guardians Swaps Players Looking for a Fresh Start
The Boston Red Sox have had a Spring Training competition at two positions, their fifth starter and second baseman. With Kristian Campbell and David Hamilton having great Springs and the starting rotation dealing with injuries, a new trade proposal makes sense for Boston. In an article from Zachary D. Rymer on Bleacher Report, the Red Sox send struggling Red Sox second baseman Vaughn Grissom to the Cleveland Guardians for right-handed pitcher Triston McKenzie. Grissom has likely lost the starting second base spot, and with the other player likely to be the backup, Grissom is the odd man out for the Red Sox. Meanwhile, McKenzie has been relegated to the bullpen and isn’t a significant factor in the plan going forward in Cleveland. Boston, dealing with injuries to Bryan Bello, Lucas Giolito, and Kutter Crawford, could use McKenzie as a part of the rotation. His role as a long-reliever could also stick once the starters get healthy, and his upside would be an intriguing name to have in reserve for Boston. At just 27 years old, McKenzie would be a younger option to keep as a part of the rotation. His 2022 season, where he had a sub-3.00 ERA in over 190 innings, is the upside, and getting a fresh start could be a chance for both the Red Sox and McKenzie.
Grissom has been disappointing for the Red Sox, even more so since he was acquired in the Chris Sale trade. The Guardians have a role for Grissom after trading Tyler Freeman, and the Red Sox do not need Grissom as a third-second baseman. This is a trade pitch from Bleacher Report that benefits both teams and both players involved. A fresh start for McKenzie and Grissom would benefit everyone involved.
Minor League Recap – The Clippers are Back!
Columbus kicks off the MiLB season with a W.
One day after the Cleveland Guardians brought home a season opening win, the Columbus Clippers followed suit. Let’s jump into the first Minor League Recap of the 2025 season.
Columbus Clippers – AAA
COL 8 – TOL 5
Box Score
The Columbus Clippers had a fantastic game against the Detroit Tigers AAA affiliate, the Toledo Mud Hens.
- Doug Nikhazy had a strong 5.0 inning outing, allowing two runs on three hits and walking two. Both earned runs were solo shots and not indicative of his pitching performance. In the rain and slipper conditions, the lefty struck out six in his first appearance of 2025.
- Parker Mushinski blew the save, also allowing two runs. He could not get out of the inning before Columbus turned to Bradley Hanner. Hanner closed out the sixth inning and started the seventh. He allowed one run and struck out one, but earned his first win of the year.
- Zak Kent and Nick Mikolajchak pitched the eighth and ninth inning, shutting down the Mud Hens chances at a rally. The two held Toledo to a single hit (Kent).
- Clippers hitters had a fun time tonight. The offense put up twelve hits compared to Toledo’s seven hits.
- The first hit of the Clippers season was a double hit by Juan Brito. Brito finished the night with three hits and three RBI.
- Angel Martínez had two hits and two RBI. His two RBI double at the top of the third contributed to the Mud Hens starter’s early exit.
- The top of the third highlighted all of the strengths of this offense. Dayan Frias and Milan Tolentino both worked walks while the pitcher struggled to control his pitches in the downpour. Will Brennan reached on a fielder’s choice, but a fielding error left the bases loaded. Juan Brito singled to score one. Angel’s double scored two and Kody Huff walked to load the bases again before the side was struck out.
- In the top of the seventh Milan Tolentino kicked things off with a triple to left and scored when Brito his a sac fly. Angel hit another double and notched another run when Will Wilson hit the first homer of the season to left center. Kody Huff doubled and scored off of Petey Halpin’s single to right.
