Guardians Prospect Profile: Joey Cantillo, LHP

Joey Cantillo's rookie season with Cleveland showed why the team acquired him in the Mike Clevinger trade. The 25-year-old lefty posted a 4.31 ERA in 39.2 innings, but the underlying numbers tell a more interesting story.

His 13.5% swinging strike rate according to PitcherList stands out, along with a 27% strikeout rate that suggests an ability to miss bats consistently. These aren't just random numbers - they point to a pitcher with legitimate swing-and-miss stuff.

While Roster Resource projects Triston McKenzie to open the year as Cleveland's fifth starter, Cantillo will surely get his opportunities in 2025. The long season always requires more than five starters, and his left-handed look adds much-needed variety to a predominantly right-handed rotation.

If he can maintain his ability to miss bats while refining his control, he could be more than just a back-end starter. The Guardians have turned similar profiles into successful big league arms before, and Cantillo has the tools to follow that path.

What do you think of Cantillo's chances in 2025? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.

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