Triston McKenzie has gone from a potential face of the franchise to a player living on the roster bubble in Cleveland. The year ahead will be an absolutely pivotal one for the player affectionately known as Dr. Sticks.
From 2020-2022, McKenzie had a 3.68 ERA and a 4.01 FIP and a 9.61/2.90 K/BB/9. From 2023-2024 (including only 16 innings in 2023), McKenzie has a 5.11 ERA and a 6.12 FIP and a 8.84/6.09 K/BB/9. Obviously, an elbow injury threw a wrench in what was shaping up to be another Cleveland pitching development success story after McKenzie’s age-24 season in 2022.