Jackson Humphries Could Be One Of Guardians’ Next Breakouts
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For many reasons, 20-year-old lefthander Jackson Humphries welcomed the new year, mainly because it means he has moved on from 2024.
Last year, Humphries got off to a slow start at Low-A Lynchburg that was traced to an illness that he tried to pitch through. He did, but it was a struggle.
“The illness resulted in him losing nearly 20 pounds of body weight,” Guardians assistant GM James Harris said, “but he continued to perform well, striking out (nearly) 30% of batters (while throwing) four pitches, including a standout changeup, while also developing his fastball command.”
In 23 starts in the Carolina League, Humphries ran up a 4.56 ERA and 1.39 WHIP, but he still showed swing-and-miss stuff with 97 strikeouts in 79 innings.
“This offseason he has challenged himself in the weight room to add lean mass, and so far we have seen an uptick in his throwing program,” Harris said.
The results have been encouraging, and Humphries could eventually become another one of Cleveland’s homegrown pitching success stories. In many cases, that development can happen quickly.
The Guardians drafted the 6-foot-1, 200-pound southpaw in the eighth round in 2022 out of Fuquay-Varina (N.C.) High.
Humphries struggled in his first pro season in 2023, making a combined 15 appearance in the Arizona Complex League and for Lynchburg. He struck out 72 batters in 57.1 innings while posting a 5.49 ERA.
“(Guardians assistant director of pitching development) Ben Johnson and the pitching team continue to support athleticism in Jackson’s delivery, and we anticipate him entering spring training, and the season, as a healthy starter,” Harris said.
Cleveland officials believe Humphries has big upside to reach, potentially as early as 2025. He has progressed steadily, and now that he is healthy again, he is a candidate to become one of the Guardians’ next homegrown big league pitchers.
