Latest news with #CarlWillis
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'The evolution of a starting pitcher': Gavin Williams' cutter usage a key aspect to 2025
CLEVELAND — Partially due to a silver lining associated with a stint on the injured list last season, Gavin Williams might have found a key aspect to unlock his pitching arsenal — almost by accident. Williams, in his first 13 starts this season, is 5-3 with a 3.86 ERA. He's been even better in his last seven outings, posting a 2.89 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 37 1/3 innings. Advertisement One of the key reasons for this solid stretch after a so-so beginning to 2025 dates back to his time on the injured list last year, when he missed roughly the first half of the 2024 season. There, his slider effectively began to morph into more of a cutter. And the idea was sprung to eventually include both within his pitch mix, though it would take time. "Once we started working on [the cutter], we saw the value, we saw the hitters' reaction, and it was taking a little bit of time to up the usage for him to get comfortable with it," said pitching coach Carl Willis. "I think as he has it now, we've seen it almost makes it like a fastball-changeup in the reverse way because his fastball's so hard." In other words, as hitters tried to key in on his fastball, having the slider was one pitch to keep them off of it. The cutter, almost in-between the two, has added the needed layer of unpredictability. In addition to the cutter, Williams and the Guardians pitching development team are also working on implementing more of a 2-seamer into the mix as well. Advertisement "[Before having the cutter], they were looking for the fastball and knowing they were going to get it," Willis said. "It's still a work in progress, but it's just to give him basically three different hard shapes to keep the barrel off the ball." Jun 7, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams (32) celebrates during the third inning against the Houston Astros at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Gavin Williams stats Williams threw 82 innings (3.29 ERA) in his rookie 2023 season. Last year was supposed to be his first full season in the majors, but an elbow injury robbed him of the first half, and he never looked comfortable in the second half. That set up a crucial 2025, and it's possible that the increased usage of the cutter has not only made him a more effective pitcher, but it's also allowed him to avoid as many blowup days, as it's given him another offering on which to rely when other pitches aren't working that day. Advertisement Considering the injuries to the starting rotation — namely Ben Lively, whose season is over after needing Tommy John surgery — Williams is a major part of the Guardians' hopes of chasing a playoff spot, especially with the offense floundering at the moment. A slider that morphed into a cutter might have provided part of that needed roadmap. "Gavin continues to develop," said manager Stephen Vogt. "I think that's the evolution of a starting pitcher developing is you start to understand what makes you great, and that might be different on any given night. And Bo [Naylor] and he identified the cutter [on June 1 against the Angels] as a really good out pitch." Williams would certainly have preferred at the time to avoid the injured list for roughly half a season. But if it helped lead to the evolution of a cutter he can rely on from start to start, perhaps it can eventually be a price well worth it. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians pitcher Gavin Williams develops a cutter for 2025
Forbes
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Cleveland Guardians' Rotation Fortified By Trades For Starting Pitchers
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 15: The new Cleveland Guardians logo hangs on the exterior of Progressive ... More Field prior to the home opener against the San Francisco Giants on April 15, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by) The Cleveland Guardians have a reputation for selecting, trading for, and developing pitchers. While lefty Matthew Boyd offered a jolt to the Guardians rotation last year, he departed to the Chicago Cubs as a free agent. Severe injuries and poor performances to starting pitchers required the attention of the Guardians front office. And major league pitching coach, Carl Willis. They responded. Two significant trades have considerably fortified the Guardians starting pitching staff. Both trades are the result of excellent scouting. 1-On December 10, 2024, right-hander Luis Ortiz, 26, was obtained in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ortiz came to the Guardians in a three-way transaction which saw Ortiz and prospect pitchers Josh Hartle, and Michael Kennedy traded to Cleveland from Pittsburgh. The Guardians sent first baseman Spencer Horwitz to the Pirates, and the Toronto Blue Jays received pitcher Nick Sandlin from Cleveland. Horwitz was originally with the Blue Jays. 2-On December 21, 2024, right-hander Slade Cecconi was obtained from the Arizona Diamondbacks in a trade for first baseman Josh Naylor. Because minor league starters still in development aren't quite major league ready, both trades have literally saved the Guardians starting rotation this season. SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 22: Luis L. Ortiz #45 of the Cleveland Guardians looks on from the ... More dugout during the game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on June 22, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by) About Luis L. Ortiz: The Guardians liked what they saw from Ortiz when he pitched against Cleveland for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ortiz is 6-2, 235 pounds, and he is refining his mechanics with each start, as he gets his entire body into his delivery. Ortiz has a strong, live arm. He can bring his fastball to 99-miles-per-hour with relative ease. Ortiz has blossomed as a pitcher under the tutelage of pitching coach, Carl Willis While he battled command and control problems in spring training, and early outings this year, Ortiz has refined his approach, and his command has increased markedly. Throwing more strikes, and impacting the balance of hitters, Ortiz is a reliable starter with upside remaining. Ortiz has a 4-8 record, with a 4.30 ERA, and 1.40 WHIP. However, those stats are misleading. His last five starts, beginning May 30, have showcased great improvement in his confidence, in his ability to throw strikes, and in his success. lists Ortiz' repertoire as follows: Four-Seam Fastball (96-98 MPH) Sinking Fastball (95 MPH_Cutter (92 MPH) Slider (85 MPH) and Changeup (89 MPH) Cleveland Guardians pitcher Slade Cecconi during a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in ... More San Francisco, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) About Slade Cecconi: There was never a question regarding Cecconi's arm strength. At 6-4, 219 pounds, Cecconi has excellent mound presence. Like Ortiz, Cecconi had command and control problems. Working with Coach Willis, Cecconi has improved considerably in getting ahead in counts, throwing strikes, and giving his team a chance to win. Cecconi has a 3-3 record, with a 3.38 ERA, and 1.28 WHIP. Cecconi has made seven starts, and has thrown 37.1 innings. Cecconi has a deep, effective arsenal of pitches. lists Cecconi's repertoire this way: Four-seam fastball (94 MPH) Sinking fastball (93 MPH) Slider (83 MPH) Curve (76 MPH) Cutter (89 MPH) and Changeup (84 MPH) Cecconi relies upon the fastball/slider combination the most. Rotation Injuries And Performance Issues: 1- Shane Bieber During the offseason, the Guardians signed their 'ace' starter, Shane Bieber to a two-year contract. Bieber is currently still recovering from the Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery he underwent in April 2024. Bieber's contract pays him $10M this year, regardless of when he returns to the mound. Bieber has a $16M player option for 2026, when it is presumed he will be 100% healthy and back to his normal form. So yes, Bieber will have the option to opt out of his contract for next season. For now, however, even with setbacks in his bullpen sessions, the Guardians do expect Bieber to pitch this season. However, nothing is guaranteed. 2- Triston McKenzie It was hoped that McKenzie, 27, was able to assume a role in the Guardians rotation. That was not to be, as McKenzie was so ineffective, he was designated for assignment on April 24, 2025. McKenzie cleared waivers and accepted an assignment to to Triple-A Columbus. Before pitching at Columbus, McKenzie has pitched in the team's Arizona Complex League. He has made four appearances, with three of them starts. His ERA is 11.12, and his WHIP is 2.47. It does not look promising that McKenzie will be back in Cleveland's rotation. 3- Ben Lively Starter Ben Lively required Tommy John surgery June 4, 2025. He is lost for the season. 4- John Means Starter John Means was signed in the offseason, but he, too, is recovering from June 2024 Tommy John surgery. Conclusions: Given the departure of Matthew Boyd, injuries to their rotation, and the ineffectiveness of Triston McKenzie, trading for starters Luis L. Ortiz, and Slade Cecconi deepened a Guardians rotation in need of reinforcement. Both have been particularly outstanding in June. Pitching coach Carl Willis has helped both Ortiz and Cecconi tremendously.
