The Guardians’ pitching depth has been thinned out from a few different directions, and the latest hit landed on Monday when prospect Khal Stephen underwent a successful right ulnar collateral ligament repair. It’s not Tommy John surgery, but the recovery still figures to keep him sidelined for the next 10-12 months.
That kind of setback would sting in any system. For Cleveland, it lands at a time when the organization is already scraping for arms beyond its big league rotation.
Some of that shortage comes from injuries. Some of it comes from Luis Ortiz’s suspension. But a big chunk of the problem traces back to the way the Guardians have used their pitching inventory in recent trades, including the deal that originally brought Stephen into the organization.
Two of the clearest examples came in 2024. Cleveland sent left-hander Alex Clemmey to the Nationals in the Lane Thomas trade, then moved left-hander Jacob Bresnahan to the Giants for Alex Cobb. Neither pitcher has reached the majors yet - Clemmey is in Double-A and Bresnahan is in High-A - but both would likely be climbing through Cleveland’s system right now if they had stayed put.
The Ortiz trade looked like a different kind of win at the time. Cleveland brought him in expecting him to be part of the rotation for the next half-decade, but that plan unraveled after he got tied up in Emmanuel Clase’s alleged pitch betting ring. Ortiz posted a 4.36 ERA in 88 2/3 innings with the Guardians last season before landing on the restricted list, and he was still arbitration eligible before that happened.
Then there’s Shane Bieber. Even after Ortiz was out of the picture, Cleveland still dealt Bieber to the Blue Jays at last year’s trade deadline for Stephen, who was in Double-A at the time. Stephen made 12 starts at that level with the Guardians this season before the injury, and he still had a path - however narrow - to a big league debut because the club’s pitching depth was so thin.
Now that path is gone for the foreseeable future, and the options behind the rotation get uncomfortable fast. If Cleveland needs a starter to cover a missed turn, Logan Allen, Austin Peterson or Yorman Gómez could be the next names in line.
The Guardians couldn’t have predicted Ortiz’s restricted-list situation, or Stephen’s injury, or the setback to fellow prospect Justin Campbell. But the cumulative effect is hard to miss: Cleveland has spent some of its pitching future in trades and hasn’t gotten much back from those bets, even if Thomas’ 2024 postseason run will be remembered.
That leaves the front office in a different spot this trade deadline. Instead of dealing from pitching depth, the Guardians may have to add to it. That would be a notable shift.
In Other News...
Guardians Just Made The Outfield Pick Fans Have Been Waiting For
After opening the MLB Draft with pitchers Liam Peterson and Logan Schmidt, the Guardians finally turned to the outfield in the third round with Houstons Tre Broussard. Cleveland used the No. 95 pick on a player whose appeal is pretty easy to see: he brings speed, contact skills and the kind of profile that fits the organizations preference for athletic, versatile position players.
Broussards track record at Houston gives the pick some real intrigue, especially after he was successful on 56 of 64 stolen-base attempts over the past two years and hit .344 last season. The Guardians still have to get all of their draft picks signed, but if Broussard develops the way they hope, he could become part of the long-term outfield picture in a system that is always looking for the next reliable bat. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Just Made Another Draft Bet Fans Know All Too Well
The Guardians went back to a familiar draft lane on Sunday, taking University of Houston outfielder Tre Broussard in the third round with the 95th overall pick. It is the kind of selection Cleveland has long been willing to make: a player whose game is built on speed, defense and enough offensive feel to make you think there could be more coming as he develops.
Broussard brings center-field ability, contact skills and a base-stealing element that fits the organizations usual appetite for athleticism up the middle. MLB Pipeline had him 91st on its draft board, which gives the pick a little more credibility than a pure flier, but the real appeal is the same one Cleveland keeps chasing in this part of the draft - a young college player with tools, movement and room to grow into something more. [Read more 🡒]