Cleveland Guardians 2024 Prospect Scouting Report: #14 LHP Parker Messick

Is Messick ready to move faster into a back of the rotation role?

Justin Lada

Apr 11, 2024

Parker Messick Bio

Age (2024 season): 23
Acquired: 2022 Draft (Round 2)
2023 Level: Single-A/High-A
Height: 6’0
Weight: 220
Throws: Left

Parker Messick 2023 Stats

G/GS: 24/24
IP: 121.2
ERA/FIP: 3.77/3.87
K/BB: 136/15
K%/BB%: 26.2%/7.5%
WHIP: 1.22

Parker Messick 2024 Scouting Grades

Fastball: 50
Curveball: 50
Slider: 50
Changeup: 55
Command: 45
Overall: 45
Risk: Moderate
ETA: 2025

Build & Background

Shorter, stockier build that should be good for solid durability. Strong lower half. Has conditioned better since being drafted. Was the ACC pitcher of the year in 2021. Very simple step back and ride the slide type delivery. Drops into a hunch into delivery quickly. Funky and deceptive. Flat approach angle from a 3/4 arm slot. Very solid mechanically. Good arm timing. Solid extension.Signed for $1.3M in 2022.

What Messick Does Well

Deception and control drive Messick’s profile. His fastball is typically 91-93, which is a bit of a step up from 89-92 that he was hitting in 2023. His fastball plays up a bit thanks to its flat approach angle to the plate, his extension and 3/4 arm slot that is hard to pick up and gets on hitters. Works well up in the zone too. He pairs that well with a good changeup with plenty of tumble and run. Gets hitters to chase out of the zone with it at Low-A and High-A. Not afraid to throw it to lefties or righties. Slider has become his best breaking offering, dropping in around the high 70s or so. It has good, tighter tilt now and can get chases from lefties. He’s not afraid to front door it to lefties either. The curve can drop in for strikes and is a solid vertical offering.

Where Messick Needs to Improve

His two breaking pitches could use further refinement. His slider has improved, but curveball is really more of a get-me-over type right now. A little more fastball velo, and added velo to his breaking stuff could help too. He’s a bit more control over command right now.

Key Stats

Messick’s 10 homers allowed in 65 innings in High-A last year and a 40% fly ball rate will raise some questions about home run issues. Cleveland typically doesn’t care about fy ball types but he’ll have to limit the walks if he continues as a fly ball friendly pitcher.

Intangibles

Messick was a passionate pitcher in college and can play with a fun, competitive fire. His improved conditioning in pro ball is also a testament to his work ethic. Very well spoken and knowledgeable about pitching, wants to continue to improve and knows what he does well. Very self aware.

Future

Messick is at the level of a pitcher who is better off being challenged at Double-A but is stuck in High-A right now. It’s a bit confusing Cleveland isn’t pushing him with a bit more of a challenge. I suppose no pitchers are ever safe anymore but Messick has a safer 4/5 pitcher type profile. He could use a little more giddyup on the fastball and more refined command to avoid walks so that his home run problem doesn’t bite him more. But he continues to track like a backend starter that should be ready for a 2025 debut at this point who should be able to turn over a lineup thanks to his changeup. Fastball command will be key for him.

Role

45 - back of the rotation arm/solid depth