The Cleveland Guardians are gearing up for their third showdown in as many days against the Seattle Mariners, with Joey Cantillo taking the mound. Cantillo is set to face off against Bryan Woo, a pitcher who's often flown under the radar in the American League.
Cantillo himself is on the cusp of making a name as one of the league's underrated talents. With a little refinement to his fastball, the potential is there for him to rise to prominence.
Reflecting on last season, Cantillo's breakout seems to have already begun. He wrapped up the 2025 season with an impressive 3.21 ERA over 95.1 innings. This was part of the Guardians' innovative six-man rotation that fueled a dramatic late-season surge in the AL Central standings.
His performance in September was particularly stellar. Over his final seven starts from August 9 onward, Cantillo posted a remarkable 1.59 ERA across 39.2 innings, racking up 36 strikeouts.
Despite a lukewarm spring, Cantillo showed he's ready to continue his upward trajectory by delivering four scoreless innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks in his last warm-up game, allowing just one hit and striking out six without issuing a walk.
The Mariners present a formidable challenge, having ranked sixth in wRC+ against left-handed pitchers last year with a 108 rating. But Cantillo isn't your average southpaw.
His standout pitch is a devastating changeup, particularly effective against right-handed batters. In 2025, he recorded a 3.23 FIP against righties, compared to a 4.47 mark against lefties.
Facing a Mariners lineup that boasts talents like Brendan Donovan, Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez, Josh Naylor, Randy Arozarena, and Dominic Canzone, Cantillo will have his work cut out for him.
His fastball might be a bit hittable, but his curveball is a hidden gem that he could utilize more. Thanks to his exceptional extension, his fastball plays better than it might otherwise.
If Cantillo can make strides with his four-seamer, 2026 could be a breakout year for him. Having already posted a 2.96 ERA as a starter last year, he's poised to elevate his game even further. With continued development, he might just be on the path to becoming an All-Star.