Joey Cantillo

Active

Cleveland Guardians · Pitcher

Age 266' 4" · 225 lbsThrows Left

FBaseball Overview

The 26-year-old left-hander enters 2026 as a mid-rotation arm for Cleveland with legitimate strikeout potential, evidenced by his 85 K in 86 innings last season and 108 K the year prior. His ERA climbed slightly to 3.87 in 2026 while his WHIP ticked up to 1.35, suggesting some control issues emerged after his strong 2025 campaign (3.21 ERA, 1.26 WHIP). Cantillo offers fantasy managers modest win potential given his 6-3 record and steady strikeout floor, though he's unlikely to rack up saves in a relief role—his sole save across two seasons reflects limited closing opportunities. The risk here centers on ERA and WHIP stability as his minor-league accolades (EAS Pitcher of the Month, multiple All-Star nods) haven't yet translated to elite major-league production, making him a back-end starter dependent on Cleveland's offensive support.

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2024	Cleveland Guardians	9	8	2	4	0	4.89	1.29	44	38.2	15
2025	Cleveland Guardians	34	13	5	3	1	3.21	1.26	108	95.1	42
2026	Cleveland Guardians	18	18	7	3	0	3.86	1.36	89	91.0	44
Career	Totals	61	39	14	10	1	3.76	1.31	241	225	101

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2017	AZL Padres 2	7	0	1	0	4.50	1.38	14	8.0	6
2018	2 teams▼	12	10	2	3	2.76	1.06	63	49	15
2019	2 teams▼	22	22	10	4	2.26	0.93	144	111.2	34
2021	2 teams▼	7	2	0	2	2.77	1.62	19	13	11
2022	Akron RubberDucks	14	13	4	3	1.93	1.09	87	60.2	28
2023	2 teams▼	26	24	7	4	4.07	1.44	146	119.1	69
2024	2 teams▼	11	10	2	2	4.31	1.61	53	39.2	27
2025	Columbus Clippers	6	6	0	1	5.06	1.22	27	21.1	8
Career	Totals	105	87	26	19	3.17	1.22	553	422.2	198

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Game Log2026 season

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Analytics2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo91.9 mph

Avg Spin1984 rpm

Whiff %28.8%

K %23.2%

BB %11.5%

Hard Hit %35.9%

Barrel %8.5%

xERA4.22

xBA Against0.236

xSLG Against0.388

BA Against0.240

SLG Against0.398

GB%42.3%

FB%31.5%

What These Stats Mean

FB Velo — Average fastball velocity. Harder throwers generate more swings and misses, setting up every other pitch in their arsenal. Velocity is the foundation of strikeout upside.

Avg Spin — Average spin rate across all pitches. Higher spin creates more movement and makes pitches harder to square up — elite spinners run better strikeout and batting average against numbers.

Whiff % — Swings-and-misses per swing. The most direct measure of a pitcher's ability to miss bats and the best leading indicator of strikeout rate.

K % — Strikeout rate per batter faced. The core fantasy pitching stat — high K% means reliable strikeout totals that hold up even in shorter starts.

BB % — Walk rate per batter faced. The primary control metric. High BB% tanks ERA and WHIP and keeps baserunners on constantly. Elite starters typically run below 7%.

Hard Hit % — Percentage of batted balls hit 95 mph or harder against. Low hard-hit% means weak contact, protecting both ERA and the defense behind the pitcher.

Barrel % — Percentage of batted balls barreled against. The most direct home run predictor — low barrel% pitchers rarely give up long balls.

xERA — Expected ERA based on contact quality allowed, removing the effect of sequencing, luck, and defense. Better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.

xBA Against — Expected batting average opponents should hit based on contact quality. A gap between xBA and actual BA indicates unsustainable luck in either direction.

xSLG Against — Expected slugging allowed based on contact quality. High xSLG against predicts future extra-base damage; low xSLG means the pitcher is genuinely suppressing power.

BA Against — Actual batting average opponents are hitting — a key WHIP component. Check xBA to see if the number is sustainable.

SLG Against — Actual slugging allowed. Captures hits, doubles, triples, and home runs — lower means the pitcher is limiting the power damage he gives up.

GB% — Ground ball rate. High GB% pitchers generate double plays, limit home runs, and keep the ball in the park — great for protecting ERA and WHIP ratios.

FB% — Fly ball rate. High FB% pitchers give up more air contact — dangerous when combined with high exit velocity, less so when contact is soft.

Loading player data...

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2024

Cleveland Guardians

4.89

1.29

38.2

2025

Cleveland Guardians

3.21

1.26

108

95.1

2026

Cleveland Guardians

3.86

1.36

91.0

Career

Totals

3.76

1.31

241

225

101

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2017

AZL Padres 2

4.50

1.38

8.0

2018

2 teams▼

2.76

1.06

2019

2 teams▼

2.26

0.93

144

111.2

2021

2 teams▼

2.77

1.62

2022

Akron RubberDucks

1.93

1.09

60.2

2023

2 teams▼

4.07

1.44

146

119.1

2024

2 teams▼

4.31

1.61

39.2

2025

Columbus Clippers

5.06

1.22

21.1

Career

Totals

105

3.17

1.22

553

422.2

198