Cleveland Guardians left-handed starting pitcher Parker Messick is deserving of more praise as he's putting up a stellar breakout rookie season, boasting a 10-8 record with a 2.50 ERA with 156 strikeouts across 155 innings pitched. 

While the limelight has mostly been shed on aces Cam Schlittler and Dylan Cease, Messick's dominance this season has placed him in the Rookie of the Year conversation while also gaining AL Cy Young votes. 

Entering Monday's game against the Los Angeles Angels, the 25-year-old was one strikeout away from taking over third spot in the Guardians franchise list of most strikeouts by a rookie in a season, and he accomplished the feat. 

In the Guardians' 4-2 victory over the Angels, he delivered another gem, pitching six strong innings while giving up only one run on three hits and one walk while striking out four.

Messick has also successfully anchored the rotation and provided consistency. In his Aug. 19 performance against the San Francisco Giants, despite a 1-0 loss he delivered another quality outing tossing six and 2/3 innings with six hits, one run, no walks and 10 strikeouts with a career-high 19 whiffs. 

Parker Messick a workhorse for Guardians

So far, he's held a 2.54 ERA in his second season with the Guardians, who would be wise to lock down the rookie. He's recorded a 1.88 ERA in his last seven games with 46 strikeouts.  

His ability to limit hard contact has added to his dominance, as he's logged a hard-hit rate of 31.7% that ranks in the 90th percentile as well as a low barrel rate of 4.8% that ranks in the 88th percentile. He also possesses a nasty changeup that generates elite swing and miss with a 35.5% whiff rate.