Some interesting developments
The Guardians dropped a game 7-4 to the Rangers but Guardians fans who tuned in had to be encouraged by outings from Gavin Williams, Will Dion and Tanner Burns.
Williams opened the game with two perfect innings, striking out three and sitting 97 with his fastball. He flashed a higher release point, less extension and more sweep on his slider.
Gavin Williams made his Spring debut!
It looks like Williams has changed up his slider yet again, and this time it might be even better! The offering is a few ticks slower but it getting significantly more sweep and drop than last season
Oh, and his fastball is still great! pic.twitter.com/hHtZYzbP5Y
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) February 26, 2025
Will Dion followed with 2 perfect innings of his own and 3 K’s, showing a 92 mph fastball which is almost 3 mph higher than his average fastball velocity in 2024. Tanner Burns gave up a homer on a hanging slider but looked good otherwise, hitting 96 mph on his fastball when his average last year was 92.7.
Brayan Rocchio had a double, Kyle Manzardo had a double, Jose had two hits robbed from him, Lane Thomas had an RBI single, Jose Devers hit a 2-run homer and Cooper Ingle looks like he may actually be a catcher who can hit. In Cleveland?? We will see.
This game was a good example of how little game results matter as there was a lot to be encouraged by from the Guardians. However, I continue to be concerned about their left-handed hitting, especially in right field because I’m not convinced we need Noel out there against RHP and Brennan hasn’t shown me anything yet. But it’s early. Gabriel Arias was also back to his usual grounding out and striking out habits today, so second base remains a very wide open competition as far as I’m concerned.