(Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
The Cleveland Guardians are known for developing quality pitchers like few other teams in the league.
Their two best starters, Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie (injuries have treated them badly in 2023), are homegrown.
Aaron Civale, who they traded to the Tampa Bay Rays a couple of weeks ago, is also a product of the club’s development system.
So are excellent rookies Logan Allen, Gavin Williams, and the best of the bunch: Tanner Bibee.
Has Bibee been good enough to be the leading contender for the American League Rookie of the Year award?
Probably not.
Is he a worthwhile candidate?
Definitely.
The team is trying to raise awareness about his excellent season and his ROY credentials via Twitter.
Let’s get Tanner’s name in the Rookie of the Year conversation, @MLB.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/CZ9Ezrvlvj
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) August 9, 2023
He was brilliant on Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays.
In seven innings of work, he conceded just six hits, no walks, and no runs.
He struck out six Jays and lowered his ERA to a cool 2.92 in 101.2 innings.
He has been one of the best and most consistent Guardians starters this season, in a year that has proved harder than the front office probably imagined.
Cleveland is 55-59, and they are drifting further and further away from first place in the AL Central.
Injuries have interfered with their plans in 2023, and that’s why a starter like Bibee is so valuable for the team: he’s controllable, young, and already producing.
He is a big piece for the future of the Guardians and could get some AL ROY votes.
It will be tough to win given the strong competition: Gunnar Henderson, Masataka Yoshida, Triston Casas, and Josh Jung have all had amazing performances.
However, Bibee could get himself a better shot with a strong finish.
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