Spring training is heating up for the Cleveland Guardians, and the battle for a spot in the starting rotation is shaping up to be the most intense competition on the team. With five coveted spots and six strong contenders, every pitch counts.
The Guardians are set to showcase their pitching talent over the next few days. Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, and Slade Cecconi will be taking the mound in a crucial stretch of games against the Diamondbacks, Dodgers, and Rangers.
These three pitchers seem to have a leg up for the regular season. Last year, Bibee and Williams were workhorses, each making 31 starts, while Cecconi was right behind with 23, just trailing Logan Allen's 29.
But it's not just about those three. Joey Cantillo and Parker Messick are also in the mix.
Both were mid-season additions last year and are vying for a spot in the rotation. Allen, Cantillo, and Messick have already made their spring debuts with varying success.
Allen impressed with two scoreless innings against the Reds, while Cantillo allowed two runs in 1.1 innings against the Brewers. Messick, despite walking three, managed two hitless innings against the Athletics.
Last season, manager Stephen Vogt made the bold move to switch to a six-man rotation, a strategy that paid off as the Guardians pulled off a historic division win. However, it looks like they might revert to a traditional five-man setup this year, which means one pitcher might end up in the bullpen or back in the minors. Cantillo, who started last season as a reliever, and Messick, who might return to Triple-A, are both on the bubble.
Having an abundance of pitching talent is a good problem to have. The Guardians can rest easy knowing they have a deep bench of capable starters ready to step up if needed.