Joey Cantillo

Cantillo made Cleveland's Opening Day roster last season as a reliever and posted a 3.81 ERA in 21 appearances out of the bullpen before being optioned to Triple-A Columbus in May to stretch out as a starter. The left-hander rejoined the Guardians in early July and finished the season in the rotation, posting a 2.96 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 72:28 K:BB over 67 innings covering 13 starts. As a starter, Cantillo had a 25.9 percent strikeout rate and a 10.8 percent walk rate while holding batters to a .214 average, with a 3.78 xFIP indicating that he pitched well but may have gotten a bit lucky. He should enter spring training as the favorite to win a spot at the back end of Cleveland's starting rotation, but it's possible he loses out to someone like prospect Parker Messick. Cantillo's success out of the bullpen in 2025 could help him to maintain a place on the big-league roster, but that could also make him susceptible to being treated as more of a swingman than full-time starter. Read Past Outlooks