Major League Scouting Report On Guardians Rule-5 Pick, Peyton Pallette
· Yahoo Sports
GOODYEAR, ARIZONA - MARCH 7: Peyton Pallette #63 of the Cleveland Guardians throws a pitch during a Spring Training game against the San Diego Padres at Goodyear Ballpark on March 7, 2026 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)
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Getty ImagesThe Cleveland Guardians made shoring up their bullpen a priority this offseason.
The team will be without closer Emmanuel Clase, and the front office is mindful of the heavy workload their relievers experienced last season.
One of the Guardians more intriguing bullpen additions is right-hander Peyton Pallette.
Pallette was claimed by Cleveland from the Chicago White Sox in the Rule-5 draft. He must remain on the Guardians roster all season, or be offered back to Chicago for half the $100,000 they gave the White Sox for selecting Pallette.
University of Arkansas pitcher Peyton Pallette (36) throws a pitch during an NCAA baseball game against University of Oklahoma on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.About Peyton Pallette:
The White Sox chose Pallette in the 2nd round of the 2022 Major League Draft, out of the University of Arkansas.
As the No. 62 selection, the White Sox gave Pallette a $1.5M signing bonus.
Pallette, who turns 25 in May, has an outstanding array of pitches, which makes one wonder why the White Sox didn’t protect him on their 40-man roster, thereby exposing him to the Rule-5 draft?
Pallette, 6-1, 190 pounds, has flashed an outstanding fastball, which has been in the 94-96 miles per hour range this spring. It isn’t unusual for him to touch 98.
This is a 2026 photo of Peyton Pallette of the Cleveland Guardians MLB baseball team. This image reflects the 2026 active roster as of Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 when the images was taken in Goodyear, Ariz. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reservedScouting Peyton Pallette:
MLBPipeline.com indicates Pallette was a potential first round selection, but a barking elbow changed his draft status.
Once a starter in college, Pallette has made an excellent transition to the bullpen.
One must begin any Pallette scouting report with the fact he had Tommy John surgery in his junior year at Arkansas.
While that surgery is very common in today’s game, this old scout has observed Pallette throwing free-and-easy in Guardians spring training appearances.
BaseballHQ.com stated Pallette also throws a curveball at 81-84 miles per hour, a changeup at 85-87 miles per hour, and a slurve (combination of slider, and curve) at 84-88 miles per hour.
Pallette has a bit of a funky delivery, but the results are favorable.
Pallette spent parts of four seasons in the White Sox minor league development program.
Last season at Double-A Birmingham, and Triple-A Charlotte, Pallette threw 64.1 innings, in 52 games, all in relief.
He threw to a 4.06 ERA, and 1.19 WHIP, striking out an average of 13.7 hitters per nine innings, and walking 3.4 per nine.
His walk rate is a bit too high, but he flashed good command and control in games this old scout observed this spring.
When he does fall behind in counts, Pallette has the ability to recover and get back in command of the at-bat.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 02: Stephen Vogt #12 of the Cleveland Guardians looks on prior to game three of the American League Wild Card Series against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on October 02, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesWhat They Are Saying:
As reported by si.com, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said, ““What we told Peyton was, ‘Go show us what you can do,’” Vogt said. “‘You're not going to make the team on Feb. 13, 14. Just dive in. Be stubborn to who you are, but dive in with our coaches, and let's see how we can grow together over the next six, seven weeks…”
It now appears, that with the season set to begin March 26, Pallette will make the team.
roundtable.com reported these comments from Vogt following Pallette’s first appearance.
““That was awesome,” said Stephen Vogt after the game. “To see him rebound, he was lights out after the first hitter…it was fun to watch.”
Scouting Grade: 55
A Grade 55 pitcher is better than average.
Anchored with his above average fastball, and a wipeout slider, Pallette has the chance to be a long-man in the Guardians bullpen.
Pallette’s poise, and his ability to recover from bad counts is admirable, and makes him a very viable addition to the Guardians bullpen.