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Tanner Bibee Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Three rising stars for the Cleveland Guardians

By Michael Carpenter | Last updated 3/8/24

With Spring Training underway, each team is filled with hope for a World Series title and fresh faces are ready to make a name for themselves in the majors. After a mediocre 76-86 finish in 2023, the Cleveland Guardians will look to bounce back and push for the playoffs in 2024.

Here are three rising stars looking to make an impact for the Guardians in 2024.

Tanner Bibee, pitcher

2023 MLB stats: 10-4, 2.98 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 141 strikeouts in 142 innings pitched

One of baseball's biggest breakout pitchers in 2023, Guardians right-hander Tanner Bibee is on the verge of transforming into the face of the franchise as a part of a potential-filled pitching staff.

After a second-place finish in the 2023 American League Rookie of the Year award voting, Bibee will look to improve on his stellar rookie debut.

Finishing last season with a 10-4 record, 2.98 ERA and 141 strikeouts in 142 innings pitched, Bibee exceeded expectations in a big way.

No. 5 @CleGuardians prospect (59th overall) Tanner Bibee fans 8 in his MLB debut. pic.twitter.com/kIfQCejseP
— MLB (@MLB) April 26, 2023

Making only 28 starts in the minors since being drafted in 2021, Bibee shot through the system thanks to a 2.13 ERA and 186 strikeouts in 148 innings pitched.

The 25-year-old will look to continue his rise to stardom for the Guardians in 2024.

Gavin Williams, pitcher

2023 MLB stats: 3-5, 3.29 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 81 strikeouts in 82 innings pitched

Another rookie pitcher who shined in 2023, Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams dominated in the minors to the point that he forced them to promote him.

Selected with the 23rd overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, Williams posted a 9-6 record with a 2.10 ERA while striking out 230 batters in 175.1 innings pitched in the minors before his debut.

He showed why he was one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball going 3-2 with a 3.29 ERA including 81 strikeouts in 82 innings pitched for the Guardians last season.

The highlight of his season was striking out ten-plus batters on back-to-back starts in early August, proving that the 24-year-old Williams was here to stay.

Gavin Williams, 96mph ⛽️...and K Scream.

12th K. pic.twitter.com/S73K4FOYMM
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 8, 2023

With a full offseason preparing for the 2024 MLB season, Williams is a breakout candidate and on his way to becoming a household name outside of Ohio.

Bo Naylor, catcher

2023 MLB stats: .237/.339/.470, 11 home runs and 32 RBI in 67 games played

After going hitless in his first taste of the majors in 2022, Guardians catcher Bo Naylor showed flashes of a bright future during his time with the big league club in 2023.

The younger brother of Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor, the 24-year-old catcher slashed .239/.339/.470 with 11 home runs and 32 RBI in 67 games played last season and enters 2024 looking to secure his spot as the long-term backstop for the Guardians.

BO NAYLOR WITH A MOON SHOT. #ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/pWi0Y8Z161
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) July 25, 2023

Not only does Naylor have power behind the dish, he also possesses rare speed for a catcher. With a 20/20 year in the minors on his resume, he was able to put his baserunning skills on display going five for five on steal attempts during his rookie season.

With a team ready to contend in the American League Central, Naylor will look to slug his way into the conversation as one of the best young catchers in the MLB during the 2024 season.

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