'Polished rookie' Messick off to historic start to MLB career

CLEVELAND -- Earlier this month, Guardians catcher Austin Hedges was asked whether anything about left-hander Parker Messick seemed rookie-like.

“Not really, man,” Hedges said. “From the preparation, the routine, the recovery, the mentality, the confidence in himself, that's a really polished rookie.”

Folks with the Guardians have often pointed to Messick’s poise as a defining attribute since he made his MLB debut on Aug. 20 in 2025. It’s been evident as the 25-year-old continues to enjoy a historic start to his big league career.

Entering his scheduled start Saturday against the Red Sox at Progressive Field, Messick has a 2.42 ERA with 108 strikeouts and 25 walks in 104 innings over 18 career starts. Now, consider the context.

• In franchise history, only two pitchers had more strikeouts through their first 18 starts: Herb Score (139) and Danny Salazar (112). Shane Bieber also had 108.

• Messick's ERA is the lowest by a Cleveland pitcher over his first 18 career outings (minimum 100 innings pitched) since earned runs became an official stat in 1913.

• Using that same 1913 qualifier, only two other pitchers have recorded a 2.50 ERA or lower and logged 100-plus strikeouts and fewer than 30 walks through their first 18 career starts: Stephen Strasburg (2.45 ERA, 121 strikeouts, 20 walks) and Paul Skenes (2.23 ERA, 136 strikeouts and 26 walks).

“It's awesome. I'm super honored. It's really cool company to be in,” Messick said. “But at the same time, if I want to stay in that same category, I've just gotta go out there and keep doing it. So whatever I can do to keep doing that.”

Messick leans on the adage that he’s only as good as his next start. For any success he may have, he knows he must keep working to remain reliable each time he takes the ball. He’s been remarkably consistent since his debut, and certainly this season.

Messick (who earned a spot in the Guardians’ starting rotation this spring) has allowed three or fewer earned runs in 10 of his first 11 starts. He has issued three or fewer walks in each of his outings. One of his strengths is his willingness to go right at hitters, which you don’t always see from up-and-coming starters.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt noted Messick reminds him of Sonny Gray, who was his teammate from 2013-17 with the A’s, in that way.

“It doesn't matter who he's pitching against,” Vogt said. “He's just gonna go attack.”

Development and refinement are two key tenants of the Minor Leagues, and Messick noted his desire to compete was also a constant as he made his way up the Guardians' farm system. He relished reaching the big leagues this past summer, when every game was crucial for the Guardians as they completed a historic comeback to win the AL Central title.

“Once I got up to the team last year and we went on that run, it was like ‘Baseball is so fun,’” Messick said. “Everything matters, winning matters, and I think that's helped me. Every time I walk out, my focus is on one, glorifying the Lord, and two, to help the Guardians win.”

That’s been a feather in Messick’s cap this season; the Guardians are 9-2 when he starts. He continues to give them a chance even when he isn't his sharpest. We saw that in the Guardians' 4-3 victory over the Tigers on May 19. Messick was charged with three runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks on 81 pitches (45 strikes). He did enough to help the Guardians win.

Messick followed that start by scattering five hits and two walks over 5 2/3 scoreless innings on Sunday's 3-1 win over the Phillies. He credited the Guardians’ pitching group for identifying a subtle delivery adjustment leading into that outing, which helped him get to back to locating each of his pitches.

Messick is not a finished product and continues to refine himself, but he also continues to demonstrate maturity on the mound beyond his years. He’s grateful to be in the big leagues, but is not satisfied with what he’s done so far.

“You never expect to get to the big leagues,” Messick said. “You want it so bad, and you never know when it's going to come. And then when you get here, you want to be here as long as you can. You don't want to be sent home as soon as you get up.

"It's just one of the things that I try to take every day and be grateful that I'm here, and thank the Lord that I'm in this position."