Cantillo arrives with 'different demeanor,' hungry for rotation spot

PHOENIX -- It was around the World Series this past fall when Joey Cantillo began to truly process and reflect upon his 2025 season. It was a challenging year on the field for the Guardians’ lefty, but the start of the offseason afforded him the chance to mentally reset and gain clarity.

“Last year had its ups and downs, for sure, and I probably wasn't always a joy to be around,” Cantillo said. “It took a little bit to get my mind in a good space, like, ‘There's actually a lot of really good things that went on.’”

Cantillo’s up-and-down season included a few role changes, multiple trips to Triple-A Columbus and stretches of ineffectiveness on the mound. It was an uneven year, but the positives ultimately engendered confidence in what could be in store in 2026.

Cantillo logged a 3.21 ERA in 95 1/3 innings over 34 appearances (including 13 starts). That included a 1.55 ERA in 29 innings over five starts in September, during a dominant finish to the season by Cleveland’s six-man rotation.

“I feel like I’m coming into this camp with a little more sense of identity in what I know I can do,” said Cantillo, who’s competing for a spot in the Guardians’ rotation this spring and made his Cactus League debut on Saturday vs. the Brewers. The Guardians won that game, 9-6, and also defeated the Reds, 4-2, in split-squad action.

“I’m excited to be around the guys again. I’m just super optimistic about the year in general.”

Cantillo competed for a spot in the Guardians’ rotation last spring, but made their Opening Day roster as a reliever. He posted a 3.81 ERA in 28 1/3 innings over his first 21 appearances, before Cleveland reversed course and optioned him to Triple-A Columbus on May 27 to stretch out as a starter.

It wasn’t long before the Guardians changed course again. They recalled Cantillo on July 3, when he was not fully stretched out, to take the rotation spot of Luis Ortiz who was on non-disciplinary paid leave.

Cantillo logged a 4.03 ERA, 44 strikeouts and 22 walks in 38 innings over eight starts before he was optioned back to Columbus on Aug. 17. The Guardians’ brass said it wanted him to work on attacking the strike zone more consistently. He returned to the Majors on Sept. 3 and went on to win AL Rookie Pitcher of the Month for September, when he struck out 28 batters with only six walks over his final five starts.

When Cantillo arrived at Spring Training last year, he had just nine big league appearances under his belt, including eight starts. With the experience he gained last year, he noted the feeling is “very different” for him in Arizona this year.

“Last year, I’m glad it happened, because it needed to happen,” Cantillo said. “It was a challenging year, for sure. But at the same time, I definitely feel more like myself now. The things that we were able to do last year, this is as excited as I have been to play baseball in a long time.”

Cantillo reported to Arizona in January, weeks before Guardians pitchers and catchers were required to report to camp. He is one of six starters in Cleveland’s rotation picture, which will include just five guys when the regular season begins.

Cantillo’s mentality is standing out with the competition underway.

“Joey definitely has a different demeanor this year,” manager Stephen Vogt said. “He's hungry. He wants to go out and earn it. For where Joey is in his career, and the year he went through, he wants to be a starter.

“He's working his backside off every day to be a starter, and he's looked great so far in camp.”

Every game in September was practically a must-have for the Guardians during their historic comeback to win the division, and Cantillo elevated his game to another level amid the high stakes.

A sub-2.00 ERA isn’t a fair expectation, but Cantillo now has a reference point for what he’s capable of when he’s at his best.

“We went on a little run there,” Cantillo said. “I was able to be consistent for a couple of those starts. That’s really the benchmark. I feel like going forward, it’s 'let’s do that over the course of the whole season and help this team win a lot of games.'"