CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 15: The new Cleveland Guardians logo hangs on the exterior of Progressive … More
The Cleveland Guardians have a reputation for selecting, trading for, and developing pitchers.
While lefty Matthew Boyd offered a jolt to the Guardians rotation last year, he departed to the Chicago Cubs as a free agent.
Severe injuries and poor performances to starting pitchers required the attention of the Guardians front office.
And major league pitching coach, Carl Willis.
They responded.
Two significant trades have considerably fortified the Guardians starting pitching staff.
Both trades are the result of excellent scouting.
1-On December 10, 2024, right-hander Luis Ortiz, 26, was obtained in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Ortiz came to the Guardians in a three-way transaction which saw Ortiz and prospect pitchers Josh Hartle, and Michael Kennedy traded to Cleveland from Pittsburgh. The Guardians sent first baseman Spencer Horwitz to the Pirates, and the Toronto Blue Jays received pitcher Nick Sandlin from Cleveland. Horwitz was originally with the Blue Jays.
2-On December 21, 2024, right-hander Slade Cecconi was obtained from the Arizona Diamondbacks in a trade for first baseman Josh Naylor.
Because minor league starters still in development aren’t quite major league ready, both trades have literally saved the Guardians starting rotation this season.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 22: Luis L. Ortiz #45 of the Cleveland Guardians looks on from the … More
About Luis L. Ortiz:
The Guardians liked what they saw from Ortiz when he pitched against Cleveland for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Ortiz is 6-2, 235 pounds, and he is refining his mechanics with each start, as he gets his entire body into his delivery.
Ortiz has a strong, live arm. He can bring his fastball to 99-miles-per-hour with relative ease.
Ortiz has blossomed as a pitcher under the tutelage of pitching coach, Carl Willis
While he battled command and control problems in spring training, and early outings this year, Ortiz has refined his approach, and his command has increased markedly.
Throwing more strikes, and impacting the balance of hitters, Ortiz is a reliable starter with upside remaining.
Ortiz has a 4-8 record, with a 4.30 ERA, and 1.40 WHIP. However, those stats are misleading. His last five starts, beginning May 30, have showcased great improvement in his confidence, in his ability to throw strikes, and in his success.
fangraphs.com lists Ortiz’ repertoire as follows:
Four-Seam Fastball (96-98 MPH) Sinking Fastball (95 MPH_Cutter (92 MPH) Slider (85 MPH) and Changeup (89 MPH)
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Slade Cecconi during a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in … More
About Slade Cecconi:
There was never a question regarding Cecconi’s arm strength.
At 6-4, 219 pounds, Cecconi has excellent mound presence.
Like Ortiz, Cecconi had command and control problems.
Working with Coach Willis, Cecconi has improved considerably in getting ahead in counts, throwing strikes, and giving his team a chance to win.
Cecconi has a 3-3 record, with a 3.38 ERA, and 1.28 WHIP.
Cecconi has made seven starts, and has thrown 37.1 innings.
Cecconi has a deep, effective arsenal of pitches.
brooksbaseball.net lists Cecconi’s repertoire this way:
Four-seam fastball (94 MPH) Sinking fastball (93 MPH) Slider (83 MPH) Curve (76 MPH) Cutter (89 MPH) and Changeup (84 MPH)
Cecconi relies upon the fastball/slider combination the most.
Rotation Injuries And Performance Issues:
1- Shane Bieber
During the offseason, the Guardians signed their “ace” starter, Shane Bieber to a two-year contract.
Bieber is currently still recovering from the Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery he underwent in April 2024.
Bieber’s contract pays him $10M this year, regardless of when he returns to the mound.
Bieber has a $16M player option for 2026, when it is presumed he will be 100% healthy and back to his normal form.
So yes, Bieber will have the option to opt out of his contract for next season.
For now, however, even with setbacks in his bullpen sessions, the Guardians do expect Bieber to pitch this season. However, nothing is guaranteed.
2- Triston McKenzie
It was hoped that McKenzie, 27, was able to assume a role in the Guardians rotation.
That was not to be, as McKenzie was so ineffective, he was designated for assignment on April 24, 2025. McKenzie cleared waivers and accepted an assignment to to Triple-A Columbus.
Before pitching at Columbus, McKenzie has pitched in the team’s Arizona Complex League. He has made four appearances, with three of them starts. His ERA is 11.12, and his WHIP is 2.47. It does not look promising that McKenzie will be back in Cleveland’s rotation.
3- Ben Lively
Starter Ben Lively required Tommy John surgery June 4, 2025. He is lost for the season.
4- John Means
Starter John Means was signed in the offseason, but he, too, is recovering from June 2024 Tommy John surgery.
Conclusions:
Given the departure of Matthew Boyd, injuries to their rotation, and the ineffectiveness of Triston McKenzie, trading for starters Luis L. Ortiz, and Slade Cecconi deepened a Guardians rotation in need of reinforcement.
Both have been particularly outstanding in June.
Pitching coach Carl Willis has helped both Ortiz and Cecconi tremendously.
