The Guardians will choose righty Hunter Gaddis to make his main league debut tomorrow, supervisor Terry Francona instructed reporters (including Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon-Journal). Kirk McCarty has been optioned to Triple-A Columbus to clear an energetic roster spot, whereas the group will announce a corresponding 40-man roster transfer tomorrow.
Gaddis, 24, was Cleveland’s fifth-round pick of Georgia State in 2019. The 6’6″ righty has posted unimaginable strikeout numbers just about from the day he entered the skilled ranks. He’s fanned 32.6% of opposing hitters all through his minor league profession, together with an almost an identical clip between Double-A Akron and Columbus this season. The majority of his work has are available in Akron, the place he’s pitched to a 4.24 ERA by 76 1/3 innings with a 32.7% strikeout price and a good 8.3% stroll share. He was promoted to Triple-A a pair weeks in the past and made simply two begins there earlier than incomes his first massive league look.
Baseball America not too long ago ranked Gaddis the #19 prospect in a powerful Guardians farm system. The outlet cited his four-pitch combine, together with a low-mid 90s fastball and a pair of high quality secondary choices in his slider and changeup. He’s usually proven strong management all through his time within the minors as properly, though his extremely low ground-ball charges have led to some house run considerations.
Gaddis would’ve been eligible for the Rule 5 draft this offseason if not added to the 40-man roster. Cleveland will give him a roster spot a number of months early and plug him proper into the fireplace, beginning a sport towards the Astros whereas the Guards are only a sport again of the Twins within the AL Central. With Aaron Civale starting a rehab project in Columbus tomorrow, it’s attainable Gaddis’ preliminary stint consists of only a spot begin. That he’s now on the 40-man firmly cements him as viable rotation depth for the massive league membership down the stretch although.
