Guardians Season In Review - Erik Sabrowski
A budding force in the bullpen, a look into Erik Sabrowski’s first season in the majors.
Erik Sabrowski started the 2024 season in AAA Columbus for about two weeks before being sent down to AA Akron. For the RubberDucks Sabrowski pitched 11.2 innings, maintaining a 0.77 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. In late May, he made his way back to Columbus. With the Clippers he threw 37.0 innings but saw a sharp increase in ERA - up to a 4.38. Nothing that is insurmountable in the grind to the majors.
Unfortunately, on June 29th he was placed on the injured list, something Sabrowski was all too familiar with.
Sabrowski was selected in the 14th round, 411th overall, in the 2018 draft by the San Diego Padres. Before he could make his pro debut, he underwent Tommy John surgery. Between recovery and the lost COVID year, Sabrowski did not make his professional debut until the 2021 season. In the 2021 winter meetings, Cleveland selected Sabrowski during the Rule-5 draft. Like the first draft, he underwent Tommy John surgery shortly thereafter. For the second time in his short career. Sabrowski did not pitch for the Cleveland Guardians organization until the 2023 season.
On August 28th, 2024 then 26-year-old Sabrowski was called up to the show, but he wouldn’t make his major league debut until September 4th. In his debut, he faced 5 batters in 1.1 innings of work. He allowed 1 hit and struck out 2, establishing a 0.00 ERA which would remain unchanged for the remainder of the regular season.
Sabrowski remained driven and consistent in his short time in Cleveland. In 12.2 innings pitched he walked only 4 batters and did not allow a single run. Earned or otherwise. Sabrowski nestled into the historically dominant Guardians bullpen immediately and became another reliable tool that rookie manager Stephen Vogt could turn to in the lead up to the playoffs.
As the team made the playoff grind, Vogt turned to Sabrowski to fill a crucial role. Give the four horsemen (Tim Herrin, Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis, and Emmanuel Clase) a much needed break without faltering in what he had already displayed. Erik filled that roll better than could have been expected out of any rookie.
Erik Sabrowski did not give up a run in his major league career until Game 1 of the ALCS on October 14th, against the New York Yankees. With two outs, Giancarlo Stanton was thrown a 93.3 mph Four-Seamer over the plate.
Sabrowski ended the post season having pitched 5.1 innings, allowing 2 runs, 1 earned, 4 hits, and 3 walks. His ERA of 1.69 was nothing short of impressive. From two Tommy John surgeries to proving pivotal to the Guards post season berth, 2024 was, in short, exhilarating for the Edmonton, AB native.
What does this mean for the lefty? What does 2025 look like for Erik Sabrowski?
Sabrowski is easy to root for. After being drafted, he didn’t know if he was ever going to pitch in the majors and has shown nothing but gratitude for the opportunity. From his debut post game interview, he catapulted himself to the top 3 of my favorite players list. I want nothing more than him succeed in the 2025 season and continue to bolster the bullpen.
Sabrowski throws 3 pitches; a four-seamer, a curve, and a slider. He favors his fastball, throwing it 58% of the time. He averages around 92 mph for the fast ball which places him in the 28th percentile. With his injury history, adding additional velocity to his fast ball could be equal parts difficult and risky if not impossible. With an 87th percentile extension, continued success could be as simple as sequencing to stay on top of batters once they start seeing him. But how long can he see MLB success with a low velo fastball and two other pitches?
The big question will be, can he stay healthy for the full season? He will never be an innings eater out of the bullpen and it would be foolish to risk stretching him out to starter. Will he be able to maintain this success over a full season without a serious IL stint? The 2025 season will show who Erik Sabrowski, major league pitcher, really is.