CLEVELAND — With Triston McKenzie heading back to the Injured List, the Cleveland Guardians are once again turning to their robust farm system.
In need of a starting pitcher for Wednesday's matchup against the Oakland Athletics, the Guardians have announced that Gavin Williams will make his MLB debut. A 23-year-old right-hander, Williams is the top-ranked prospect in Cleveland's system and the No. 16 overall prospect in baseball, according to MLB.com.
Williams marks the third top-100 pitcher to make his debut for the Guardians this season, joining right-hander Tanner Bibee and left-hander Logan Allen. Cleveland's No. 3 prospect, catcher Bo Naylor, was recalled from Triple-A Columbus earlier this week.
Selected by the Guardians out of East Carolina in the first round (No. 23 overall) of the 2021 MLB Draft, Williams has been a fast riser through Cleveland's farm system. Making 12 combined starts in Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus this season, he has amassed a 4-2 record, 2.39 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 60.1 innings.
"Williams still stands out most with his fastball, which can sit at 94-97 mph late into games and continues to reach triple digits," his MLB Pipeline profile reads. "The biggest reason for his surge is that after years of struggling to spin the ball effectively, he has developed two solid breaking pitches, with his tighter mid-80s slider landing in the zone and missing bats more frequently than his upper-70s curveball with good shape and depth. He also has a solid mid-80s changeup with fade, though it can get too firm at times."
Besides the Williams news, the Guards also provided an update on McKenzie, confirming he has a sprained UCL in his throwing elbow and will be shut down for "several" weeks. The 25-year-old, who already missed the first two months of action with a strained shoulder, is seeking a second opinion.
Laying claim to a 33-38 record, Cleveland enters Tuesday's matchup against Oakland two games back of the Minnesota Twins in the American League Central Division.