Cleveland Guardians Rule 5 Draft Pick, Peyton Pallette, hasn't pitched in a game yet, but should be getting close to making his spring debut.
Part of the Cleveland Guardians’ plan to upgrade the bullpen depth over the offseason was selecting RHP Peyton Pallette in the MLB’s Rule 5 Draft.
At this point in Spring Training, other newcomers such as Shawn Armstrong, Colin Holderman, and Connor Brogdon have already appeared in multiple Cactus League games, but Pallette is still waiting for his debut.
Unfortunately, the 24-year-old has been dealing with right shoulder fatigue, which is why he hasn’t been seen on the mound yet.
The good news is that Pallette is getting closer to pitching in his first game with the Guardians.
Where does Pallette stand with Cleveland right now?
Stephen Vogt noted on Friday that the right-hander threw a live bullpen session on Thursday, and while he hadn’t heard any raving reviews from the workout, “No news is good news.”
“Saw him throw, saw him start it, and it looked really good,” explained Vogt. “So I think, to determine the next steps, see how it feels today coming in, and determine whether or not he needs another live or if we can get him into a game.”
Apr 15, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A detail of the uniform of Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan during the game between the Cleveland Guardians and the San Francisco Giants at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesPallette is objectively in a much more peculiar situation than any other pitcher, or really player, in training camp. Being a Rule 5 Draft pick, he must make the Guardians Opening Day roster, or he’ll head back to the Chicago White Sox for the 2026 season.
Cleveland’s skipper acknowledged it’s a very unique experience to be in as an inexperienced player, but Vogt has stressed to Pallette that the team doesn’t want him putting too much pressure on himself, and they just want to see him on the mound.
“We know the we know the parameters of you being here, but we just want to see you pitch. Go out, compete, and we'll make a decision at the end of spring training with you. We're gonna talk with you about it,” continued Vogt.
The Guardians clearly see something in Pallette to make them go out of their way to poach him from another organization when they had the opportunity. It’s unfortunate that he hasn’t been able to get on the mound in a game yet due to the injury, but that hasn’t changed Cleveland’s feeling toward him.
Hopefully, once Pallette is ready to pitch in a game, he’ll show everyone why the Guardians were so high on him and want to bring him into the organization.
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