Gavin Williams Throws 102 MPH in Show-Stopping MLB Debut—Highlights, Stats & What’s Next for the Guardians

CLEVELAND—When the Cleveland Guardians needed a skid-stopping ace, 25-year-old right-hander Gavin Williams answered the call. On May 22, the former first-round pick spun six innings of one-run baseball against the Minnesota Twins, limiting them to two hits while striking out six to halt the Guardians’ five-game losing streak. Fastball Velocity Meets a Sharpened Cutter • Williams averaged 97 mph with his four-seam fastball but the difference-maker was a newly refined cutter that kept Twin hitters off balance and opened the upper rail of the strike zone for punch-outs. • Since debuting the pitch in late April, opponents are batting just .172 against it, per internal team data. Season Snapshot • Record: 4-2 • ERA: 3.94 • Strikeouts: 57 in 55.0 IP, good for a 27.4 % K-rate. • Hard-hit rate has dropped eight points since 2024, a sign his evolving mix is working. Rotation Ripple Effect Manager Stephen Vogt praised Williams for “saving the bullpen” after a 30-pitch third inning pushed his total to 98 pitches yet still produced a 61 % strike rate. The quality start allowed Cleveland to reset high-leverage relievers Hunter Gaddis, Tim Herrin and Emmanuel Clase for a critical four-game set against the AL-Central-leading Detroit Tigers. Why This Matters for Cleveland’s Playoff Push 1. Front-of-Rotation Anchor: With Shane Bieber recovering from Tommy John surgery and Triston McKenzie on an innings cap, Williams’ emergence provides badly needed stability. 2. Bullpen Breather: Each six-plus inning outing from Williams reduces strain on a relief corps that led MLB in appearances last season. 3. Momentum Swing: The Guardians entered Minnesota losers of five straight; they left with renewed confidence and now trail Detroit by six games entering Memorial Day weekend. Next on the Mound Williams is slated to face the Tigers at Comerica Park next Wednesday, a venue where he owns a career 2.48 ERA. Detroit’s lineup ranks third in MLB in slugging at home, setting up a marquee matchup that could reshape the divisional race. Bottom Line If the Guardians are serious about chasing down Detroit, Gavin Williams will be central to that chase. His developing cutter, high-octane heater and growing poise on big stages are turning potential into production—and that’s exactly what Cleveland needs as the calendar flips to June.