Cleveland Guardians May Face Quality Starting Pitching Depth Issues
The Triple-A cupboard seems fairly bare of quality, major league ready starting pitching replacements for the Cleveland Guardians.
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 21: Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Parker Messick (77) in the dugout following the second inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Houston Astros and Cleveland Guardians on April 21, 2026, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Suddenly, the Cleveland Guardians may have a starting pitching depth problem. The Guardians are widely respected for their starting pitching development.
It’s no secret that the Guardians have developed some outstanding starters in recent years. One must ask what happens this year if one of the Cleveland starting pitchers is injured, or is so ineffective, he must be replaced The minor league pitching development program doesn’t have major league starting pitching depth waiting in the wings for 2026. Yes, there is starting pitching on the horizon, but the cupboard is fairly bare at this point in the season.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 08: Former Cleveland Guardians player Corey Kluber throws out the first pitch ahead of the game against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field on April 08, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) Getty Images Starting pitchers C. C.
Sabathia, Corey Kluber, and Shane Bieber, all refined their pitching brilliance in the Guardians player development program. Sabathia was a 1st round Cleveland draft pick in 1998. He won a Cy Young Award in 2007, and is in the Hall of Fame.
Continue to the original source for the full article.