Player movement is prevalent in Major League Baseball because of the desire to win. That’s why MLB teams facilitate trades or sign free agents who can help them reach their lofty goals. Conversely, the Cleveland Guardians have done a fantastic job developing their potential starting pitcher rotation.
Earlier this year, Shane Bieber agreed to a one-year, $13.125 million deal to avoid arbitration. The pitcher Cleveland selected in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Amateur Draft had a 6-6 record and a 3.80 earned run average last season.
Meanwhile, they drafted Triston McKenzie in the first round of the 2015 June Amateur Draft. In 2022, he went 11-11 with a 2.96 ERA, 190 strikeouts, and a 0.951 WHIP.
Last year, Tanner Bibee made his Major League debut for the team that drafted him in the fifth round of the 2021 Amateur Draft. He went 10-4 with a 2.98 ERA and 141 strikeouts in 142 innings, finishing second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting behind Gunnar Henderson.
Cleveland selected Logan Allen in the 2020 June Draft. Like Bibee, he made his Major League debut last season, going 7-8 with a 3.81 ERA and 119 strikeouts in 125.1 pitches.
Finally, Gavin Williams also made his MLB debut last season, two years after the Guardians selected him in the first round of the 2021 Amateur Draft. He struck out 81 batters in 82 innings and closed the season with a 1.256 WHIP.
The @CleGuardians could begin the regular season with 5 starting pitchers drafted *and* developed within their organization.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) March 6, 2024
Bieber. McKenzie. Bibee. Allen. Williams.
Rare in today's game.
And very impressive.@MLBNetwork @MLBPipeline @923TheFan
Their emergence is a great testament to talent evaluation and development within the Guardians organization. Likewise, it’s up to manager Stephen Vogt and pitching coach Carl Willis to put them in positions to succeed.
-Lance Fernandez