CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 10: Pitcher Franco Aleman #55 of the Cleveland Guardians makes his Major League debut during the seventh inning of the team's game against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field on May 10, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Russell Lee Verlinger/Cleveland Guardians/Getty Images)
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On May 8, 2026, the Cleveland Guardians promoted right-handed reliever, Franco Aleman from Triple-A Columbus.
Aleman, who turns 26 in June, replaced Connor Brogdon on the Guardians roster. Brogdon was designated for assignment.
Aleman’s last name is pronounced ah-leh-MAHN.
At 6-6, 235 pound, Aleman is an imposing presence on the mound.
A native of Yaguajay, Cuba, Aleman lived in Tampa, Florida, and went to the University of Florida.
Aleman and his family defected to the United States when Aleman was 11-years-old.
The Atlanta Braves drafted Aleman in the 38th round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft, out of Braulio Alonso High School in Tampa. He chose to attend college.
According to baseballreference.com, the (then) Cleveland Indians selected Aleman in the 10th round of the 2021 draft, out of the University of Florida.
Aleman first attended Florida International University, transferred to St. Johns River State College, and ended up at University of Florida.
Scouts also saw Aleman in the Cape Cod Baseball League.
The Guardians gave Aleman a $175,000 signing bonus, which could become quite a bargain.
Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Franco Aleman, just called up from the minors, speaks with reporters before a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Friday, May 8, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Aleman was the third pitcher Cleveland chose in the 2021 draft. They also selected right- handers Tommy Mace, and Jack Leftwich. Aleman is the first of the group to reach the parent Guardians.
Aleman has spent parts of six seasons in his minor league development.
Much of his time was interrupted by injuries. Aleman missed nearly three months during 2024 because of an oblique strain suffered in May.
He needed left hip hernia surgery during spring training in 2025, and did not join Columbus until May 6.
Florida pitcher Franco Aleman (35) pitches against Alabama in the second inning of an NCAA college baseball game during the Southeastern Conference tournament Thursday, May 27, 2021, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
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Aleman was promoted to Cleveland from Triple-A Columbus, where he went 1-1, with a 0.00 ERA, and 0.58 WHIP in 13 games, covering 12 innings.
His fastball/slider combination was electric, and he earned his way to the parent Guardians by dispatching hitters with relative ease.
Aleman made his major league debut for the Guardians on May 10, 2026, when he pitched two innings against the Minnesota Twins. He yielded no runs, two hits, walked none, and struck out one.
In his relief role, Aleman relies on that combination of a four-seam fastball, and a wicked slider in his two-pitch mix.
brooksbaseball.net tracked his May 10 outing with a 96.97 miles per hour fastball, and 85.69 miles per hour slider.
Aleman used his fastball 78.33% of the time, with the remainder of the pitches being the slider.
For this old scout, Aleman’s fastball is a Grade 60, which equates to an All Star quality pitch.
His slider is a tick below in quality, but still, it is an above average pitch.
msn.com says, “For the last three seasons, 2024-2026, Aleman has been working on his command and control, all while perfecting his pitching arsenal.”
Aleman has long limbs, making keeping command and control in check a priority. If he alters his delivery in any way, he can elevate his pitches, or lose command of the strike zone.
But his size should be an asset as he moves forward.
Aleman projects to be a late-inning set-up reliever, which is a role Cleveland can certainly use.
The Cleveland Guardians have strengthened their bullpen with Aleman. However, they still face issues with starting pitching depth.
nextyearincleveland.substack.com states: “At his best, Aleman’s long limbs and big arm swing combined with his low release and big velocity, can get on top of hitters with a vicious sinker in the upper 90’s.”
So far, he hasn’t thrown that sinker in Cleveland. But it could be as solid a pitch s described above.
This is a 2026 photo of Franco Aleman of the Cleveland Guardians MLB baseball team. This image reflects the 2026 active roster as of Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 when the images was taken in Goodyear, Ariz. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
To this old scout, Franco Aleman is an above average, high-leverage relief pitcher with upside and great potential.
His future is as simple as overpowering hitters and throwing strikes with a high velocity fastball, and above average secondary pitches.
The Cleveland Guardians should be able to count on rookie Franco Aleman to help the team get to their 9th inning closer with solid, credible outings.
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