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TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 07: Parker Messick #77 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches in the first inning during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field on September 07, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Getty ImagesAbout Parker Messick:<\/p>\n
At 6-0, 225 pounds, Messick has a stocky frame with a very thick lower body, with strong and large thighs. He uses that lower body strength to power his delivery.<\/p>\n
In 2022, Messick was a Guardians 2nd round draft pick in the Major League Baseball draft.<\/p>\n
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Signed out of Florida State University for $1.3M, Messick was named the Atlantic Coast Conference pitcher of the year as a sophomore. He had 144 strikeouts in 98 2\/3 innings pitched.<\/p>\n
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An exterior view of Goodyear Ballpark and the Ziz during spring training baseball in Goodyear, Ariz., Monday, Feb. 18, 2013. The Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds share the facility for spring training baseball games. (AP Photo\/Paul Sancya)<\/p>\n
Copyright 2013 AP. All rights reserved.Why He Made The Rotation:<\/p>\n
This old scout had the opportunity to witness all of Messick\u2019s spring appearances for the Guardians.<\/p>\n
There were several factors that stood out in Messick\u2019s spring that were noteworthy.<\/p>\n
First, and foremost, Messick throws strikes. He usually gets ahead in the count, and has the ability to use his entire repertoire at any point in the count.<\/p>\n
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Throwing inside, outside, up, and down, Messick is masterful at changing the eye level and the balance of the hitter.<\/p>\n
His command and control are exemplary.<\/p>\n
This spring, Messick threw 15 innings in four starts. He yielded six runs, all earned.<\/p>\n
Messick struck out 11, while walking four.<\/p>\n
Finishing spring with a 2-0 record, a 3.60 ERA, and a 1.13 WHIP is a difficult accomplishment in the light air, and high sky in the hot Arizona desert.<\/p>\n
Pitching in an environment with virtually no humidity in Arizona, it is difficult to get much spin and rotation on the baseball. That said, Messick still managed to fool hitters with his measured approach attacking hitters.<\/p>\n
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If there was any issue at all with Messick this spring, one could look at yielding four home runs as a potential concern. However, once again, with the light air in the Phoenix area spring training venues, the balls fly out of the park.<\/p>\n
In spring training, brooksbaseball.net <\/a>listed Messick\u2019s repertoire as a 92.6 MPH four-seam fastball, a 91.67 MPH sinker, a changeup at 83.91 MPH, a slider at 85.16 MPH, a curve at 77.75 MPH, and a cutter at 89.69 MPH.<\/p>\n It is that vast and complete repertoire of high quality pitches that dispatches hitters.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Messick\u2019s Big League Track Record:<\/p>\n Last year, pitching for Cleveland in the major leagues, Messick made seven starts in the regular season. He threw to a 3-1 record, with a 2.72 ERA, and a 1.31 WHIP in 39.2 innings. He struck out an average of 8.6 hitters per nine, while walking only 1.4 hitters per nine innings.<\/p>\n CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08, 2025: A closeup view of the Cleveland Guardians logo on the Nike jersey worn by Brayan Rocchio #4 of the Cleveland Guardians during the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on September 08, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett\/Diamond Images via Getty Images)<\/p>\n Diamond Images\/Getty ImagesWhat They\u2019re Saying About Parker Messick:<\/p>\n SI.com<\/a> related this statement from Guardians manager, Stephen Vogt: “I just love watching Parker pitch,” Vogt said. “[He] works fast, attacks the strike zone\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n![\"Kansas](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/fd4953d04b0579adc3ff19813e53f4c7.jpeg\"\/)
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