The Cleveland Guardians have taken some hits this season after having won the AL Central by a wide margin last season.
Their most recent hit was the injury to right-hander Triston McKenzie, who suffered a UCL sprain in his right elbow.
However, the injury has cleared the way for top pitching prospect Gavin Williams, who was recently called up to replace McKenzie.
The 23-year-old will be making his Major League debut tonight against the Oakland Athletics.
On Twitter, MLB Network posted a must-see hype video to prepare fans in Cleveland for the Major League debut of their new right-hander.
Get ready @CleGuardians fans…
Top prospect Gavin Williams makes his MLB debut today! #ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/T6q7fAW4zj
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) June 21, 2023
Williams was taken by the Guardians with the 22nd pick in the 2021 MLB Draft.
The video included the moment Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that the Guardians, then the Indians, had selected him.
Highlights of his time at East Carolina University and his minor league days were also shown, with audio featuring several analysts referring to him as a “Lance Lynn-type” of pitcher.
Williams has received some praise for his high velocity in recent years and has even shown off the ability to hit the upper 90s with his fastball.
Last season, the young right-hander started 25 games in the minor leagues, going 5-4 with a microscopic ERA of 1.96 over 115 innings of work.
He also held opposing hitters to a .173 batting average.
This season, he has held opponents to a .170 average and owns a 4-2 record with a 2.39 ERA in 12 starts and 60.1 innings of work.
He’ll start tonight against the A’s, who will be sending right-hander Paul Blackburn to the mound to oppose him.
NEXT: The Guardians Get Bad News On Triston McKenzie
