MLB Prospect Scouting Report On Cleveland Guardians’ Parker Messick

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – AUGUST 20: Starting pitcher Parker Messick #77 of the Cleveland Guardians throws a warm-up pitch during the second inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on August 20, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. Messick is pitching in his major league debut. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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The Cleveland Guardians have promoted left-handed pitching prospect, Parker Messick, to their Major League club.

Messick, 24, made his big league debut September 20, 2025 against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix.

And it was impressive. More about that later.

According to MLB.com, Messick is the No. 12 Cleveland prospect.

It’s quite possible Messick can slide into the rotation on a more permanent basis.

About Parker Messick:

Parker Messick is 6-0, 225 pounds.

The Guardians selected Messick in the 2nd round of the 2025 Major League Baseball draft. He was the No. 54 player selected.

Messick received a $1.3M signing bonus from Cleveland.

Messick was signed out of Florida State University, where he pitched for three seasons.

Messick had a 16-8 record, with a 3.33 ERA, and 1.03 WHIP in 38 appearances, with 32 of them starts. He threw 200.1 innings.

Messick went to Plant City High School in Plant City Florida, where he struck out a state-leading 125 hitters, with an 11-1 recored and 1.06 ERA in his senior year. He was named Florida Mr. Baseball in his senior year.

Messick stuck out a state-high 125 hitters, pitching to a 1.06 ERA in 86 innings.

Among a number of awards, Messick made the 2022 All-Atlantic Coast Conference team, in addition to being named a First Team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

Scouting Parker Messick:

Messick has a stocky frame, with a very thick lower half. He isn’t particularly athletic.

But he’s a grinder. He knows how to pitch. He knows how to dispatch hitters with efficiency.

Prior to his debut, this old scout watched video on Messick.

One thing this writer noticed-left-handed hitters have some trouble with Messick.. As the Diamondbacks did in his debut, the opposition will likely load up on right-handed hitters.

One of the interesting side notes regarding Messick’s debut came from his manager, Stephen Vogt. Vogt indicated he had never seen Messick pitch.

Messick profiles as a finesse pitcher, the type of pitcher Cleveland has targeted in the draft for years.

Messick earns high strikeouts by changing the level and altering the balance of the hitter. He knows how to deftly use all four quadrants of home plate.

In 2024, Messick struck out the fifth most hitters in minor league baseball.

In his minor league career, Messick also got hitters to hit down on the ball, pounding the ball into the ground.

Messick repeats his delivery well, with a bit of high effort in his approach. This scout has a bit of a concern he will wear himself out over lengthy outings.

Messick’s repertoire includes a four-seam fastball, a sinker, a wicked changeup, a slider, and a curveball..

Messick’s changeup is well above average, and he often gets hitters lunging at the ball, or hitting off their back foot. That’s all part of the finesse of his pitching mechanics.

Messick’s approach is to limit hard contact from the batter. He thrives on missing the barrel of the bat, and inducing plenty of swings and misses.

In a word-impressive. In two words, very impressive.

Messick went 6.2 innings, yielding seven hits, one run, and one walk. He struck out six.

Messick got a no-decision in the game, when closer Cade Smith yielded a game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth to Lourdes Gurriell Jr.

Messick threw 83 pitches, and left with a 2-1 lead and his runner on first.

Messick walked the first hitter he faced. His wild pitch helped move the runner along. A soft single scored the first run against Messick.

Messick threw mostly changeups, at 84-86 miles per hour. He also used a four-seam fastball at 93-94 miles per hour, and an occasional two-seam fastball at 92 miles per hour.

In the second inning, Messick introduced a curveball, which he threw at 77-78 miles per hour. It was just a different look for hitters.

In the third inning, he mixed in a slider at 87 miles per hour, making it a five pitch arsenal.

Messick worked very quickly. He got the ball, looked at the sign, and made his pitch. The hitter did not have much time to compose himself in the box.

Prior to his debut, this old scout asked Vogt if Messick would be on a pitch count? He didn’t hesitate in his answer: “No, he’s full go.”

Scouting Grade: 55

After watching Parker Messick pitch, it appears to this old scout that Messick has the ability to fit well in the lower portion of a Major League Baseball rotation.

He’s an above average pitcher, with a sound repertoire, good mechanics, and an ability to miss bats.

Messick’s very confident, calm and collected on the mound.

To this old scout, Parker Messick has a very bright future as a starting pitcher.