Triston McKenzie has said on multiple occasions leading up to spring training that he fully expects to have a healthy 2024 season for the Cleveland Guardians. Now that he's worked his way back after an injury-filled 2023 season, McKenzie has set a new objective for himself for the upcoming year.
Sticks is looking to establish command of his entire pitch mix. The fastball-curveball is a nasty one-two punch, but a versatile pitch combination could make McKenzie an even better pitcher.
This is what McKenzie had to say when asked by MLB Network about his goals for the 2024 season.
"I think command of all my pitches. I think just being able to expand the zone. I think the heater plays well, I think the curveball plays well. Maybe mixing up a few of my sequencing things. But figuring that out, yeah."
Sticks does have a slider in his arsenal. However, it had an opponent batting average of .272 in his last full season. He also used to throw a changeup on occasion but that hasn't been thrown since 2021.
Developing either of those pitches could be just what McKenzie needs to his game to the next level.
Even with the fastball-curveball duo, McKenzie has the skill set to be an ace of a rotation. He only made four starts in 2023 due to injury. However, Sticks had a 2.96 ERA, and 0.95 WHIP in 191.1 innings pitched in 2022.
A return to this version of McKenzie along with a better feel for the zone could solidify the Guardians as one of the top rotations in the AL Central and all of baseball.
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