Cleveland Guardians Top 30 Prospects: #13 Xzavion Curry

Not only do the Cleveland Guardians excel at identifying and developing pitching, but they also do it exceptionally quickly. Home-grown starters Shane Bieber, Zach Plesac, and Aaron Civale all made it to the majors during their third professional season, Triston McKenzie made it during his fourth, and recent debutee Hunter Gaddis managed during his third season as well. It's certainly a major boon of a system that focuses on experienced collegiate arms who command well so that maximizing potential is limited to specific development.It's been especially prevalent the past two seasons following the Covid-cancelled 2020 Minor League season, with 2019-2021 draftees climbing the ranks quickly, often multiple levels in a season. For those drafted in 2019 and 202,0 it's especially impressive, with limited college baseball played in 2020 and no Minor League season some players were thrown to the wolves after a year off, and my 13th-ranked Guardians prospect came out swinging.Xzavion Curry enters the fray as my 13th-ranked Guardians prospect, a right-handed pitcher selected in the 7th round of the 2019 draft by Cleveland out of Georgia Tech. Curry dabbled as a shortstop for the Yellow Jackets, and though he wasn't the most decorated player he collected a handful of ACC Pitcher of the Week honor and was the first true Freshman to start on opening day for Georgia Tech since 1995. Since Cleveland prefers not to have prospects make their professional debuts the season they're drafted Curry's debut had to wait until 2021, but he did not disappoint.Curry started 19 games during his debut season ranging from Low-A Lynchburg to Double-A Akron. Over 97.2 innings pitched he amassed an 8-1 record with a 2.30 ERA, 0.891 WHIP, and just 16 walks (4.2%) to 123 strikeouts (32%). He dominated both levels of A-ball as a 22-year-old before getting a cup of coffee in Akron, but would start 2022 right back with the Rubberducks. Curry ultimately made his Major League debut for Cleveland in 2022, logging two starts later in the season, but appeared in 25 games (21 starts) for Double-A and Triple-A before getting the call.Curry pitched 122 innings across both levels going 9-4 with a 4.06 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 42 walks (8.2%) to 134 strikeouts (26.2%). He regressed a little in 2022, seeing his walk rate double and the strikeout rate dip slightly. Specifically, Curry's control dipped in 2022, exacerbating his penchant for the long ball and not having overpowering stuff to help him out of jams. He struggled in his two Major League starts, allowing six walks to just three strikeouts and allowing seven runs in 9.1 innings pitched.[embed]https://twitter.com/JL_Baseball/status/1522090381957124100?s=20&t=G_Dnp-gA0Xwjh1n-KvaQlA[/embed]Curry, 24, uses a four-pitch mix, featuring a fastball that sits 90-93, a low-70s curveball, low-to-mid-80s slider and a fringy changeup. Standing at 6 feet tall Curry uses an extremely overtop release point which helps create some rise and deception on his low-90s fastball playing above its velocity up in the zone, and pairs well with the curveball that has a true 12-6 shape with his release point. They are undoubtedly his best two offerings and play well off each other, but the slider and changeup aren't exceptional which can make Curry's life hard if he isn't on any given start.Curry is a true command-over-stuff pitcher, relying more on locating than getting chases. This is the primary contributor to Curry's long ball problem. He doesn't have the stuff to consistently miss bats, and if he doesn't have his best command any given day then mistakes over the plate are often fatal. It doesn't help that he's never had a ground ball rate over 40% at any level, but it's not impossible for him to still be successful in the Majors. See; Aaron Civale and Josh Tomlin.[embed]https://twitter.com/JL_Baseball/status/1557188801272971264?s=20&t=G_Dnp-gA0Xwjh1n-KvaQlA[/embed]Entering his age-25 season I don't expect Curry to add any velocity, but I do expect some positive regression for his command. It was imperative that Curry progress quickly through the system since he was playing from behind from the start, but it doesn't make it any less impressive that he made it to Cleveland in 2022. He will likely begin the season with Triple-A Columbus, but as a member of the 40-man roster he will be available for double headers and emergency starts as needed until someone else takes that role away from him.2023 won't be a make-it-or-break-it season for Curry by any standards, but he is in danger of lagging behind the rest of the system. That isn't Curry's fault, Cleveland has drafted some seemingly elite talent at pitcher in recent seasons and they're all progressing through the minors quickly. Despite being drafted in 2019, 2023 will be just Curry's third season logging professional games so there's still time and hope that Curry can maximize his command and reach his potential as a back-end starter.The List so Far:14. Gabriel Arias15. Jaison Chourio16. Will Brennan17. Joey Cantillo18. Juan Brito19. Nate Furman20. Petey Halpin21. Parker Messick22. Doug Nikhazy23. Tanner Burns24. Joe Lampe25. Isaiah Greene26. Jake Fox27. Jhonkensy Noel28. Jack Leftwich29. Trenton Denholm30. Peyton Battenfield