GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- It didn’t take long into his tenure as Guardians manager for Stephen Vogt to learn of the confidence that Tanner Bibee carries.
“Last year, he made the comment to me when we got to Spring Training,” Vogt said. “I met him, and he said, ‘I’m a No. 1 [starter].’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, I know, you will be.’ And he’s like, ‘No, I want to start Opening Day.’
“And I'm like, ‘Well, you know, Shane Bieber may have something to say about that, but I love where you're at, and don't ever lose that.’”
Of course, Bibee understood Bieber had earned that title, but he will cross that goal off his checklist next week. Vogt named the 26-year-old his Opening Day starter for the Guardians’ season opener at 4:10 p.m. ET on March 27 against the Royals.
Bibee will join great company in franchise history when he toes the rubber in Kansas City. Since 2014, only two Guardians pitchers have started on Opening Day: Corey Kluber (2015-19) and Bieber (‘20-24).
“It’s pretty special,” Bibee said. “Both of those guys are Cy Young [Award] winners. They’ve been really good for a long time. I’m honored.”
Bibee was born in Mission Viejo, Calif., and grew up a Dodgers fan. His past memories of Opening Day include watching Clayton Kershaw toe the rubber time and time again in the season opener. (The lefty made eight straight Opening Day starts from 2011-18 and also took the mound in the opener in 2021 for Los Angeles.)
But during his own baseball journey, making an Opening Day start was not the foremost thing on Bibee’s mind.
“You have these goals of making it to the big leagues,” Bibee said. “Then once you make it to the big leagues, it’s like, you don’t know what happens from there. Honestly, this was never something I really thought about [growing up]. My goal was to get here and then see what happened next. It’s pretty cool. It’s pretty special.”
Bibee earned the honor, and he was the clear-cut choice to usher in the new season for the Guardians. He emerged as an anchor atop Cleveland’s rotation last season once Bieber underwent Tommy John surgery in April after making two starts.
In 31 starts in 2024, Bibee went 12-8 with a 3.47 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP and 187 strikeouts over 173 2/3 innings. Not only were the Guardians without Bieber for most of the season, but right-hander Gavin Williams did not make his season debut until July 3 due to right elbow inflammation. Bibee’s presence loomed large.
“You knew on Bibee start day, he was going to give you six strong innings-plus,” associate manager Craig Albernaz said.
Bibee was the runner-up in 2023 AL Rookie of the Year Award voting, and after that strong first impression, his development in ‘24 included growth in the mental and emotional side of the game. It’s something he has spoken about this spring and something his teammates and coaches have also praised him for.
“The growth for him and his response to failure is what's making him into a bona fide ace in this league,” catcher Austin Hedges said.
The Guardians have brought Bibee along methodically this spring after he set new career highs (at any professional level) in starts and innings last year. He’s made two Cactus League starts and otherwise has gotten work in via bullpens and on the backfields at Cleveland’s player development complex.
Bibee looked regular-season ready on Monday; he allowed one hit and one walk in six scoreless innings vs. the Reds. He was so efficient (66 pitches, 43 strikes) that he went to the bullpen to throw more afterward.
After one more scheduled start on Saturday, he will usher in the new season the next time he takes the mound.
“He’s earned every bit of this,” Vogt said. “We’re just really excited for him and his family. It’s a big deal, and I’m really excited for Tanner.”
Tim Stebbins covers the Guardians for MLB.com.
