Cantillo won Gatorade's Hawaii high school player of the year honors in 2017 but didn't wow scouts with a mid-80s fastball. He impressed the Padres enough in a pre-Draft workout to land fifth-round money ($302,500) as a 16th-rounder, then caught the Guardians' eye when he dominated Single-A in 2019 and went to Cleveland in the nine-player Mike Clevinger trade in August 2020. Oblique and shoulder issues limited him during his first two seasons in his new organization, but he stayed healthy and struck out a system-best 146 in 119 1/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A last year.
After his fastball sat around 90 for the first five years in pro ball, Cantillo has added velocity and now has a 92-95 mph heater that reaches 98 with carry when he commands it up in the zone. It plays well off his plus Vulcan changeup that ranges from 79-82 mph before diving at the plate. He also can miss bats with a tight 82-85 mph slider that has improved the last two seasons and is much more effective than his soft 75-78 curveball.
More of a strike-throwing finesse pitcher while with the Padres, Cantillo now has enhanced stuff but can struggle to find the zone. His best weapon, his changeup, gets many more chases than called strikes and may not be as effective against more disciplined hitters in the Majors. He uses his 6-foot-4 frame to create extension and deception, and he should contribute in Cleveland this year as a back-of-the-rotation starter or multi-inning reliever.
Gatorade's Hawaii Player of the Year in 2017, Cantillo didn't overwhelm scouts with a mid-80s fastball but impressed the Padres in a workout and landed fifth-round money ($302,500) as a 16th-round pick. He spent two years in Rookie ball before dominating Single-A in 2019, then went to Cleveland as part of the nine-player Mike Clevinger trade in August 2020. He has pitched just 73 2/3 innings during the past three years because of the pandemic shutdown (2020), an oblique injury (2021) and shoulder issues (2022), though he did post a 1.93 ERA with 87 strikeouts in 60 2/3 Double-A innings last summer.
After throwing an 87-92 mph fastball for much of his pro career, Cantillo sat at 91-93 last year and now deals at 92-95 and tops out at 98. His heater plays better than its velocity with good carry when he locates it up in the zone, and it helps that hitters have to be wary of his plus Vulcan changeup that parks around 80 mph and tumbles at the plate. He hasn't shown great feel for spin and favors his short low-80s slider over his soft mid-70s curveball.
Added to the 40-man roster in November, Cantillo uses his 6-foot-4 frame to create good extension in his deceptive delivery, so his pitches get on hitters quicker than expected. Besides staying healthy, he'll need to improve his control to make it as a back-of-the-rotation starter. He averaged 2.9 walks per nine innings in the Padres system, but that rate has jumped to 4.8 with the Guardians, and his stuff doesn't leave him with much margin for error.
Gatorade's Hawaii player of the year in 2017, Cantillo didn't wow scouts with his mid-80s fastball that spring but impressed the Padres in a workout and earned fifth-round money ($302,500) as a 16th-rounder. He spent most of his first two years in Rookie ball before dominating in Single-A and advancing to High-A at age 19 in 2019, then went to the Guardians as part of the nine-player Mike Clevinger trade in August 2020. He didn't see any game action that year because of the pandemic and missed most of last season with an oblique injury, but he has come back strong in Double-A in 2022.
Cantillo is throwing a bit harder this year, working at 91-93 mph with his fastball after operating at 87-92 in the past, and he'll occasionally reach 95. His fastball plays better than its velocity because it has good carry and hitters have to be on the lookout for his best pitch, a plus Vulcan changeup that sits around 80 mph and tumbles at the plate. His curveball stands out more for its shape than its power.
The 6-foot-4 Cantillo gets good extension in his deceptive delivery, allowing his pitches to get on hitters quicker than then anticipate. After filling the zone while in the lower levels of the Padres system, he hasn't thrown as many strikes since switching organizations. He doesn't have much margin for error, so he'll need to do a better job of controlling and commanding his arsenal to reach his ceiling as a back-of-the-rotation starter.
Gatorade's Hawaii player of the year in 2017, Cantillo didn't wow scouts with his mid-80s fastball that spring but showed enough in a workout for the Padres to earn fifth-round money ($302,500) as a 16th-round pick. He spent most of his first two years in Rookie ball before dominating low Class A and earning a promotion to high Class A at age 19 in 2019. Sent to the Indians in the nine-player Mike Clevinger trade last August, he saw 2020 action at both San Diego and Cleveland's alternate sites and the latter's instructional league program.
Cantillo still can't blow the ball by hitters but he compensates with a nifty Vulcan changeup in the upper 70s that tumbles at the plate. It can be a well-above-average pitch at times, in particular because he commands it so well, and it helps a fastball that sits at 87-92 mph and tops out at 94 play better than its velocity. His curveball serves as his third pitch, featuring good shape but not much power in the low 70s.
Cantillo will be 21 all season but already carries 220 pounds on his 6-foot-4 frame and doesn't have much projection remaining. He gets good extension out of a deceptive delivery that allows his pitches to get on hitters quicker than they expect. He keeps his quirky mechanics in sync and pounds the strike zone, enhancing his chances of becoming a back-of-the-rotation starter.
One of the youngest players in the 2017 Draft, Cantillo signed wtih the Padres for fifth-round money ($302,500) in the 16th round out of a Hawaiian high school. He excelled in his 2019 full-season debut, logging a 2.26 ERA, .179 opponent average and 144/34 K/BB ratio in 111 2/3 innings between two Class A stops. He joined the Indians this August as part of the nine-player Mike Clevinger trade.
Cantillo can't overpower hitters but he has advanced pitchability for a young left-hander. His best offering is a solid sinking changeup that can be an well above-average pitch at its best. He sets it up with an 87-92 mph fastball that tops out at 94 and also mixes in a downer curveball.
While he's young, Cantillo already carries 220 pounds on his 6-foot-4 frame so he may not have much more projection remaining or velocity to gain. Though he has a quirky delivery, he repeats it well and provides deception without compromising his ability to throw strikes. He stands out more with his floor than his ceiling and has a good chance of becoming a back-of-the-rotation starter.
Cleveland Guardians recalled LHP Joey Cantillo from Columbus Clippers.
08/27/2024
Cleveland Guardians optioned LHP Joey Cantillo to Columbus Clippers.
08/27/2024
Columbus Clippers activated LHP Joey Cantillo.
08/26/2024
Cleveland Guardians recalled LHP Joey Cantillo from Columbus Clippers.
08/22/2024
Cleveland Guardians optioned LHP Joey Cantillo to Columbus Clippers.
08/21/2024
Cleveland Guardians recalled LHP Joey Cantillo from Columbus Clippers.
08/10/2024
Cleveland Guardians optioned LHP Joey Cantillo to Columbus Clippers.
08/09/2024
Cleveland Guardians recalled LHP Joey Cantillo from Columbus Clippers.
08/04/2024
Cleveland Guardians optioned LHP Joey Cantillo to Columbus Clippers.
07/28/2024
Cleveland Guardians recalled LHP Joey Cantillo from Columbus Clippers.
06/03/2024
LHP Joey Cantillo assigned to Columbus Clippers from ACL Guardians.
06/03/2024
Columbus Clippers activated LHP Joey Cantillo.
05/30/2024
Columbus Clippers sent LHP Joey Cantillo on a rehab assignment to ACL Guardians.
03/29/2024
Columbus Clippers placed LHP Joey Cantillo on the 7-day injured list.
03/29/2024
Columbus Clippers placed LHP Joey Cantillo on the 7-day injured list.
03/12/2024
Cleveland Guardians optioned LHP Joey Cantillo to Columbus Clippers.
03/11/2024
Cleveland Guardians reassigned LHP Joey Cantillo to the minor leagues.
10/02/2023
Cleveland Guardians recalled LHP Joey Cantillo from Columbus Clippers.
09/22/2023
Columbus Clippers transferred LHP Joey Cantillo to the Development List.
07/10/2023
Columbus Clippers activated LHP Joey Cantillo.
07/07/2023
American League Futures activated LHP Joey Cantillo.
07/07/2023
Columbus Clippers placed LHP Joey Cantillo on the temporarily inactive list.
05/18/2023
LHP Joey Cantillo assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron RubberDucks.
05/18/2023
Columbus Clippers activated LHP Joey Cantillo.
04/05/2023
LHP Joey Cantillo and assigned to Akron RubberDucks.
03/12/2023
Cleveland Guardians optioned LHP Joey Cantillo to Columbus Clippers.
11/15/2022
Cleveland Guardians selected the contract of LHP Joey Cantillo from Akron RubberDucks.
09/26/2022
Akron RubberDucks activated LHP Joey Cantillo from the 7-day injured list.
08/03/2022
Akron RubberDucks placed LHP Joey Cantillo on the 7-day injured list.
08/30/2021
Akron RubberDucks activated LHP Joey Cantillo.
08/30/2021
Akron RubberDucks activated LHP Joey Cantillo.
08/20/2021
Akron RubberDucks sent LHP Joey Cantillo on a rehab assignment to ACL Indians.
05/08/2021
Akron RubberDucks placed LHP Joey Cantillo on the 7-day injured list. Abdominal soreness.
05/04/2021
LHP Joey Cantillo assigned to Akron RubberDucks from Indians Alternate Training Site.
02/13/2021
P Joey Cantillo assigned to Cleveland Indians .
02/13/2021
LHP Joey Cantillo assigned to Cleveland Indians.
02/13/2021
LHP Joey Cantillo assigned to Cleveland Indians.
10/02/2020
LHP Joey Cantillo assigned to Akron RubberDucks from Indians Alternate Training Site.
08/31/2020
Cleveland Indians invited non-roster LHP Joey Cantillo to spring training.
08/31/2020
Cleveland Indians traded RHP Mike Clevinger, LF Greg Allen and Player To Be Named Later to San Diego Padres for C Austin Hedges, RHP Cal Quantrill, Josh Naylor, Gabriel Arias, Joey Cantillo and Owen Miller.
08/31/2020
LHP Joey Cantillo assigned to Indians Alternate Training Site.
07/19/2020
LHP Joey Cantillo assigned to Padres Alternate Training Site from AZL Padres 1.
06/28/2020
San Diego Padres invited non-roster LHP Joey Cantillo to spring training.
08/28/2019
LHP Joey Cantillo assigned to AZL Padres 1 from Lake Elsinore Storm.
08/08/2019
LHP Joey Cantillo assigned to Lake Elsinore Storm from Fort Wayne TinCaps.
09/26/2018
LHP Joey Cantillo assigned to San Diego Padres Futures.
09/26/2018
LHP Joey Cantillo assigned to San Diego Padres Futures.
08/29/2018
LHP Joey Cantillo assigned to Fort Wayne TinCaps from AZL Padres 2.
09/29/2017
LHP Joey Cantillo assigned to San Diego Padres Futures.
09/29/2017
LHP Joey Cantillo assigned to San Diego Padres Futures.
How this works:
This section shows two different ways to evaluate pitch movement.
On the left, “Total Movement” shows the real-world movement of a pitch, including the forces of gravity, which affects every pitch thrown.
Since gravity requires time, and slower pitches aren't 'better' just because they have more time to move, a pitch's movement is compared to other pitches of the same pitch type, within +/- 2 MPH and +/- 0.5 feet of extension/release.
On the right, Induced Movement (or IVB) is reported without gravity, and attempts to isolate movement created by the pitcher's ability to spin and manipulate the ball.
Note: xHR tells how many of this pitcher's home runs allowed would have been out of other stadiums. The "Adjusted" view here accounts for different wall heights, distances and environmental effects using Statcast Park Factor data.
Standard
Year
Team
Avg HR Trot
Actual HR
xHR
HR-xHR
Doubters
Mostly Gone
No Doubters
No Doubter %
2024
24.4
6
5.2
1
3
3
3
50.0
Player
24.4
6
5.2
1
3
3
3
50.0
Note: xHR tells how many of this pitcher's home runs allowed would have been out of other stadiums. The "Standard" view here accounts for different wall heights and distances but excludes environmental effects. It is based purely on the observed trajectory of the hit.
Note: xHR tells how many of this pitcher's home runs allowed would have been out of other stadiums. The "Adjusted" view here accounts for different wall heights, distances and environmental effects using Statcast Park Factor data.
Standard
Year
HR
2024
6
3
6
6
5
7
6
5
6
3
6
7
6
5
6
5
4
4
7
7
5
4
8
4
3
4
3
3
6
6
6
Player
6
3
6
6
5
7
6
5
6
3
6
7
6
5
6
5
4
4
7
7
5
4
8
4
3
4
3
3
6
6
6
Note: xHR tells how many of this pitcher's home runs allowed would have been out of other stadiums. The "Standard" view here accounts for different wall heights and distances but excludes environmental effects. It is based purely on the observed trajectory of the hit.
! Note: Shifts are through the 2022 season, Shaded starting from the 2023 season, Shift:
three or more infielders are on the same side of second base, Shade: positioned outside of
their typical responsible slices of the field. Learn more about
how positioning is defined here