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)
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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)
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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. Wearing a New York Yankees cap, one might add.
Kluber was drafted in the 4th round by the San Diego in 2007, traded to Cleveland, and won two Cy Young Awards with the (then) Cleveland Indians.
Bieber was a 4th round Cleveland draft pick in 2016, and won a Cy Young Award in the shortened 2020 season. He is injured now, and is on the Toronto roster.
This season, the Guardians are hoping right-handers Gavin Williams and Tanner Bibbe can come close to the dominance the trio above offered the Cleveland franchise.
Both Williams and Bibee have had great moments on the mound. But both have struggled with command and control consistency.
Perhaps the most promising and reliable of the current Cleveland rotation is left-hander, Parker Messick.
Messick is still a rookie, having thrown only 39.2 innings last year. But those innings were a harbinger of great things to come.
Messick throws strikes. He can’t be rattled on the mound. He has a deceptive repertoire, and a savvy pitching demeanor.
This old scout believes Messick will join Sabathia, Kluber, and Bieber as a Cy Young Award winner at some point in his career.
The Guardians also have lefty Joey Cantillo, and right-hander Slade Cecconi in the rotation.
Each has had solid outings. Each has had some clunkers.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 01: Logan Allen #26 of the Cleveland Guardians throws a pitch against the San Diego Padres during the second inning at Petco Park on April 01, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
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If Cleveland needs a starting pitcher replacement, the most logical source would be the Triple-A Columbus Clippers affiliate.
milb.com lists the Clippers rotation to include Logan Allen, Pedro Avila, Trenton Denholm, Rorik Maltrud, and Ryan Webb.
Allen had opportunities with the parent Guardians and couldn’t win a role in the starting rotation. He isn’t faring very well at Columbus, either. But he is the most advanced of the major league ready starting pitchers.
A veteran pitcher, Pedro Avila has pitched in relief for Cleveland. He is now converting to being a starter.
Trenton Denholm has never pitched for Cleveland at the big league level. He is unranked by mlbpipeline.com in their list of the Top 30 Cleveland prospects.
Rorik Maltrud has not pitched for the parent Guardians. He is unranked by mlbpipeline.com.
Ryan Webb has not pitched for the Guardians. Like Denholm, and Maltrud, Webb is unranked in the mlbpipeline.com top 30 Cleveland prospects.
GOODYEAR, ARIZONA - MARCH 16, 2026: Kahl Stephen #32 of the Cleveland Guardians throws a pitch during a minor league spring training game against the Texas Rangers at Goodyear Ballpark on March 16, 2026 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
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In fact, the highest ranked pitcher in the Guardians organization is right-hander, Khal Stephen.
Stephen, 23, came to the Guardians in a trade with Toronto for Cy Young Winner, Shane Bieber.
The problem? Stephen is pitching at Double-A Akron. He has not yet reached Triple-A. One would think that will happen soon, as Stephen may be the best starting pitcher in waiting for the Cleveland franchise.
Here is the website off the Double-A Akron Rubberducks-milb.com
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 12: Kolby Allard (49) of the Cleveland Guardians delivers a pitch during the Sunday night MLB game between the Atlanta Braves and the Cleveland Guardians on April 12, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Veteran left-handed pitcher Kolby Allard has now been signed, designated for assignment, and signed again so many times, he probably has taken up residence somewhere in Ohio.
Allard was signed as a free agent by Cleveland in February 2025. He was released in July.
Allard was signed back by Cleveland in July 2025 after he cleared waivers.
After his contract expired, Cleveland signed Allard again in February 2026.
Allard was released on April 16, 2026.
Allard signed back with Cleveland on April 17, 2026, and is now assigned to Triple-A Columbus, where he is on the Injured List.
Allard, if and when he is healthy, could be a starting pitching option at the big league level.
While there don’t seem to be many major league ready options for the parent Guardians at the Triple-A level, perhaps the team could bridge a starting pitcher need with “openers.”
The Tampa Bay Rays popularized using a long-reliever to start some games when the need would arise.
The “opener” would give way to another reliever, moving the chain along in the bullpen for the entire game.
It is far from ideal, and to this old scout, not a good strategy.
However, barring a trade for a pitcher, the Cleveland Guardians certainly don’t have the starting pitching depth they have been accustomed to in the recent past.
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