Cleveland Guardians Require Early Test Of Organizational Pitching Depth

Right-handed Cleveland Guardians starter Triston McKenzie, 25, has been diagnosed with a right teres major strain. Tall and thin at 6-5, and only 165 pounds, he has been placed on the Injured List, and may be out several more weeks while he rests and gets treatment for his shoulder.

Highly regarded right-handed pitching prospect Cody Morris, 26, has also been diagnosed with a right teres major strain. He will be resting his arm and getting treatment as well.

The teres major is a thick muscle in the upper arm. It is mainly responsible for the rotation of the arm. It contributes to static posture and arm-swinging.

In addition to injuries to McKenzie and Morris, left-handed reliever Sam Hentges, 26, has been diagnosed with left shoulder inflammation. He has been placed on the Injured List.

The Guardians have long been known for their outstanding pitcher development program.

Many organizations seek pitchers with a specific physical profile when they draft or trade for pitchers. Some teams seek pitchers with long, lean frames and long limbs. Some organizations prefer strength in their pitching staffs. They look for muscle definition. They seek pitchers with broad shoulders, strong upper and lower bodies, and enough depth to overcome fatigue.

It doesn’t seem the Guardians have a particular physical pitcher prototype. It appears the priority for Cleveland is to identify pitchers with knowledge of the strike zone, good command, good control, and a willingness to learn good pitching mechanics and refining and defining a repertoire.

If the current state of the Cleveland pitching stable was a box of crayons, the most prominent crayon color would be Light Blue. There has to be some sadness regarding the recent spate of injuries.

With regard to McKenzie, Morris, and Hentges, the crayon color would be Cautionary Yellow. The team doesn’t know the immediate future of the three shoulder injuries. Each could escalate to further damage. Each could be mitigated with rest and treatment. Each may remain the same, with no progress or regression.

What Cleveland hopes to avoid is the worst color in the Injury crayon box-Drastic Red.

That crayon would mean some type of condition requiring surgery.

Unlike the elbow, it is very difficult to repair a shoulder with surgery.

When this writer attended Major League Baseball’s Scout School, discussion of a pitcher’s shoulder, elbow and forearm were in the curriculum from the first to the last day of class.

It was stressed repeatedly that the “Pitcher’s Big Three” including shoulder, elbow and forearm had to be monitored constantly for structure and health.

Any injury to the shoulder, elbow, or forearm could impact the function of the other two.

Often times, a pitcher may try to compensate for pain by changing his mechanics. He may try a lower or higher arm slot. He may “cut off” his extension, releasing the ball without completely “following through” in his delivery. He may “open” his shoulder too soon, which results in the baseball drifting out of the strike zone.

In addition to causing other physical injury, changing pitching mechanics to eliminate pain could easily impact control and command.

A fan may be able to spot a pitcher in pain by watching his actions on the mound. The pitcher may try to take more time between pitches. With new pitch clock rules, that will be difficult.

The pitcher may swing his arm around, trying to get loose.

The pitcher may rub his shoulder, elbow, or his forearm, trying to ease the pain.

Pitching coaches spot trouble instantly. They know every nuance of every pitcher on their staff.

Given the advances in identification, evaluation, and treatment protocols, pitchers are much less reticent to seek help for their injuries than in the past.

That said, the last resort is always surgery. Rest, treatment, and rehabilitation begin the process of healing.

Guardians Starting Pitching Depth:

Cleveland’s pitching depth currently includes a number of young prospect pitchers at various stages of development.

To this writer, their most promising young starting pitchers are not quite ready to assume a role in the major league rotation. While they are making progress, they don’t quite have the minor league experience to compete yet for the parent club. They include:

Daniel Espino-RHP-Age 22

A 2019 1st round draft pick, when healthy, Espino throws his fastball up to 98 miles per hour.

Coming off missing much of last season with knee tendinitis, Espino is currently shut down with his own shoulder soreness, including a muscle strain and a capsule tear.

Gavin Williams-RHP-Age 23

Williams was a 2021, 1st round draft pick. He is huge at 6-6, 255 pounds.

Williams has a complete repertoire of superb fastball, and excellent curve, slider, and changeup. To this scout, each pitch in his arsenal is well above major league average.

Tanner Bibee-RHP-Age 24

Bibee was a 2021, 5th round draft pick. He has made fine progress in his development.

Bibee has an excellent fastball/slider combination. He also throws an above average changeup and an average curveball.

Logan Allen-LHP-Age 24

A 2020, 2nd round draft pick, Logan Allen is an important left-handed starter in Cleveland’s development program.

Allen had command and control problems last season when he was promoted to Triple-A Columbus. However, he has promise and upside with a fastball, slider, and changeup in his arsenal.

Joey Cantillo-LHP-Age 23

Obtained in trade from the San Diego Padres, Cantillo is 6-4, 225 pounds.

A 16th round Padres draft choice in 2017, Cantillo relies upon a deceptive changeup to anchor his repertoire.

Cantillo’s fastball is average in quality, and he also throws a curveball and slider. Other than that wicked changeup, his secondary pitches need refinement.

Current Replacements For McKenzie:

While Morris is seen as a primary pitching prospect for Cleveland, unlike McKenzie, he wasn’t expected to be in the rotation, or make the big league club.

Right-hander Hunter Gaddis, 24, has been identified as the most advanced starting pitching prospect to replace McKenzie.

Gaddis started Game 2 of the season against the Seattle Mariners in Seattle. He threw 3.2 innings, yielding five hits and four earned runs. Meh!

Gaddis is 6-6, 260 pounds

Gaddis was a 5th round Cleveland draft choice in 2019.

Gaddis throws an average fastball that sits at 94 MPH. It is his above average changeup that makes him tough to hit. He also throws a solid slider. His curveball remains a work in progress.

Gaddis was to be part of the Cleveland bullpen to start the season. However, with an injured McKenzie, Gaddis has been moved to the rotation.

Right-hander Xzavion Curry, 24, has been added to the bullpen as the team’s long reliever.

Curry could also become a spot starter if there is an injury, or poor performance that requires a replacement to the rotation.

At 6-0, 195 pounds, Curry was a 7th round Cleveland draft choice in 2019.

Curry throws an above average fastball and slider, along with a curve and changeup that need development.

When Zach Plesac struggled in his start April 3, Curry pitched five good innings of relief. Moving forward, he could be called upon for a greater workload.

Lefty Konnor Pilkington, 6-3, 240 pounds can be considered another potential starting pitcher option.

Summary:

The Cleveland Guardians have had to dip into their organizational pitching depth to replace budding pitching star Triston McKenzie, who is sidelined with a right teres major shoulder injury.

Every big league team deals with pitching injuries.

Now, before their best starting pitching prospects have completed their development, the Cleveland Guardians are required to prematurely tap into their wealth of quality organizational pitching depth to begin the season.