Guardians’ Trade Magic Shines as Joey Cantillo Dominates Royals
Cleveland’s baseball acumen was on full display Tuesday night as Joey Cantillo delivered a stellar performance against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. The left-hander, a product of a significant trade from 2020, pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and solidifying a crucial win for the Guardians.
The Legacy of the Clevinger Trade
The backdrop for Cantillo’s achievement traces back to August 31, 2020, when Cleveland executed a nine-player trade that saw pitcher Mike Clevinger and two others head to the San Diego Padres in exchange for six players. Among those incoming talents was Cantillo, whose continued development is a testament to the long-term impact of that deal.
Cantillo’s Journey Back to Dominance
This season, Cantillo faced challenges, struggling to locate the strike zone effectively. As a result, the Guardians opted to send him down to Triple-A for further refinement. Since his return just last week, he has shown marked improvement, first with a solid six-inning outing in Boston, where he allowed only one run and walked two batters.
However, it was his latest performance that truly highlighted his potential. Against the Royals, Cantillo exhibited pinpoint control, not issuing a single walk and throwing an impressive 72 strikes out of 92 total pitches. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt expressed his excitement, noting, “That was some of the most fun I’ve had watching someone pitch this year.”
A Pitching Duo to Remember
Cantillo’s brilliance on the mound came on the heels of another remarkable outing from teammate Slade Cecconi, who also tossed eight scoreless innings against the Royals the night before. Acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in a trade for first baseman Josh Naylor—who was part of the same 2020 trade—Cecconi has quickly made his mark within the organization.
Remarkably, the Guardians have achieved the feat of consecutive starts of eight or more innings with zero runs allowed just four times in the past three decades, marking a significant milestone for the franchise. This recent success is promising for a team that is fighting for positioning in the competitive landscape of Major League Baseball.
As Cleveland continues to navigate the season, the contributions from Cantillo and Cecconi serve as a reminder of the long-term benefits of strategic trades and player development, reinforcing the Guardians’ commitment to building a winning team.
