Guardians LHP prospect Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson recorded seven strikeouts over six shutout innings on Friday for High-A Lake County.
The buzz has been steadily increasing this season as Tugboat continues his rise through the lower rungs of Cleveland’s system. The 21-year-old southpaw, who was a 10th-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, has compiled a remarkable 1.96 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 144/28 K/BB ratio across 92 innings (19 starts) this season between Low-A Lynchburg and High-A Lake County. The stuff probably isn’t overpowering at the highest level, but he commands his low-90’s fastball well and can throw his changeup and slider for strikes, which has enabled him to dominate this year. He’s definitely put himself on the map for dynasty managers looking towards the future.
