Cleveland Guardians Pitching Prospect Has Closer Potential

Cleveland Guardians pitching prospect Andrew Walters has the potential to be a closer at some point in his career.

Sep 16, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Andrew Walters (63) throws a pitch during the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

The Cleveland Guardians' closer role has been a hot topic to start the 2025 season.

Who is Cleveland's best option to close games? Is it Cade Smith or Emmanuel Clase?

Even though the Guardians have two pitchers with closer ability right now, a team can always be looking toward the future.

Minor League analysts Sam Dykstra, Jim Callis, and Jonathan Mayo recently identified one prospect from each organization who has the potential to be a the team's closer in the future.

For the Guardians, the trio of experts selected Cleveland's 11th-ranked prospect, RHP Andrew Walters.

"Walters already flashed big league bullpen dominance with a 0.77 ERA in 13 appearances for the Guardians last season, including the playoffs, though shoulder stiffness and elbow inflammation have slowed him a bit in 2025," wrote the analysts.

"A 2023 supplemental second-rounder from Miami, he pitches mainly off a mid-90s fastball with carry, command and deception and complements it with a mid-80s slider. He fanned 13 of the 28 batters he faced at Triple-A before going on the injured list on April 21."

Oct 9, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cleveland Guardians pitcher Andrew Walters (63) throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers in the seventh inning in game three of the ALDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Walters hasn't thrown a pitch at the big league level this season due to an injury he suffered during spring training.

He hasn't been working to get healthy at Triple-A, and in seven games this season, Walters has a 1.35 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 13 strikeouts in 6.2 innings pitched.

Once Walters is healthy, he should be on the Guardians' MLB roster immediately.

With Cleveland already having two viable options as closers, Walters' best role is likely as a middle-inning reliever.

However, who knows, Walters could be closing out games for Cleveland down the line.

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