Grading SPs - AL Central
A fast paced series to grade and re-rank SPs for fantasy leagues
Guardians
Gavin Williams: 7
So far, it looks like Williams is having a bit of a breakout year, continuing the signs we saw from last year.
The sinker seems to have been a good add for him
This year, he’s rolling with a 19.6% K-BB%. The K% is up to 29%, the walks are under control. There’s still some problems. He’s given up eight homers and has been hit decently hard at times, but on balance he looks like a solid big league pitcher now.
Parker Messick: 7
I thought about an eight, but in some ways, a seven feels pretty aggresive. He’s brand new and never had much of a strikeout rate in the minors, but he’s rolling this year with a 28% K%, a 6% BB%, and a 47% GB% with an elite .279 xwOBA.
The schedule has been mostly soft lately (MIN, ATH, TB, HOU, BAL), but he did get through matchups with LAD/CHC/ATL pretty smoothly to start the year.
I don’t see anything to criticize so far, I just need to see more.
Tanner Bibee: 5
He’s my definition of a league average pitcher. 23% K%, 9% BB%, 42% GB%. He’s just average. So he gets a five.
Joey Cantillo: 4
You’ve gotta have a fastball in this game. Cantillo is way too reliant on his changeup, which is not a good “standalone” pitch. The fastball has been hit hard and doesn’t get many strikes. Bad combination. I think he’s best in a bullpen role, but the Guardians probaby have to stick with him given their lack of other options behind their first three.
Slade Cecconi: 3
He’s kinda the same as Cantillo. The fastball isn’t good. Unlike Cantillo, he doesn’t have one truly good pitch. But he throws five pitches to keep guys off balance. His K% sits at 17%, though, with a 9.3% SwStr% and he’s been hit well with a .365 xwOBA. So he’s my least favorite of the Guardians pitchers, but if I were running the team, I might be more willing to move Cantillo to the bullpen because of that changeup and the fact that he’s left-handed. Cecconi is a decent strike-throwing innings-eater, and sometimes you need one of those guys for the length.