Grading the Cleveland Guardians Opening Day roster by position

Starters

"Starting pitchers (5): Shane Bieber, Aaron Civale, Zach Plesac, Cal Quantrill, Triston McKenzie"

Overview:

The Cleveland Guardians are going to be very good at pitching. I don’t think Zach Plesac is the team’s real No. 2, I think that’s Cal Quantrill. He started off 2021 as a long-reliever and did very well in that role but when he was moved to the rotation in part to help fill in for Shane Bieber, he struggled a bit. His ERA ballooned to a 4.23 in July but by the end of the season, he got it back down to a 2.89. He struggled with the endurance of moving from the pen to the rotation but after he got that worked out, his control really came through. He was one of those key pieces in the Mike Clevinger trade for a reason and he’s going to fill in nicely for the team’s second starter.

Plesac had a down year, but I think that’s more who he is. That said, a 4.00+ ERA is not bad for what I think he is; the fourth starter. I think Aaron Civale is going to take a massive leap forward, as is Triston McKenzie. McKenzie, however, has the least control of the five and will likely be seen as the No. 5 starter until he proves otherwise.

When you have Shane Bieber leading the way, however, it’s hard to not earn an A as a group. The only concern I really have is depth. Eli Morgan can fill in if needed but he’s a better option out of the pen for now. After him, I’m worried about real major league starting talent.

Grade: A-

I expect Bieber, Quantrill, and Civale to have massive years for the Guards and if Plesac can have a sub-4.00 ERA, then I think you’re looking at a 90 win team this year.