Guardians Call Up Messick! MLB Debut in Playoff Race Showdown?

The Cleveland Guardians are injecting fresh blood into their pitching rotation as they battle for a playoff spot. Left-hander Parker Messick, the Guardians' No. 12 prospect according to MLB Pipeline and a second-round pick in the 2022 draft, is set to make his major league debut Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Messick's promotion comes as the Guardians look for a spark, currently sitting three games out of the final American League wild-card slot. The 24-year-old has been impressive for Triple-A Columbus this season, boasting a 3.47 ERA with 119 strikeouts in 98 2/3 innings across 20 starts. His performance in the minors has earned him this opportunity to contribute at the highest level.

“We had a lot of weak contact tonight, but that's a testament to their pitching,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said, hinting that Messick’s ability to induce weak contact could be key to his success. Vogt also noted the team's struggles to capitalize on opportunities in their recent game against the Diamondbacks.

Scouting reports suggest Messick's best pitch is a changeup in the low 80s. He's been on a roll lately, with a 2.93 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP in his last five starts for Columbus. This strong performance has positioned him perfectly for his debut.

Messick will face a Diamondbacks lineup featuring Geraldo Perdomo, Ketel Marte, and Corbin Carroll at the top of the order. This trio has been a force recently, hitting a combined .323 with considerable extra-base power and stolen base threats. Carroll, in particular, has been outstanding, leading the major leagues with 16 triples.

The Guardians are hoping Messick can provide a quality start and help them gain ground in the playoff race. His debut adds another layer of intrigue to this crucial series against the Diamondbacks.