Preston Guilmet

Preston Blake Guilmet

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 200 lb.
• School University of Arizona
• High School Oakmont High School
• Debut July 10, 2013

• Born July 27, 1987 in Roseville, CA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Preston Guilmet reached the major leagues in 2013.

Guilmet was 9-1 with a 0.50 ERA as a high school senior. As a freshman in college, the right-hander had a 3-7, 4.80 record with a team-high 87 strikeouts. He improved to 12-2, 1.87 with 146 K in 135 innings as a sophomore in 2007. He had the lowest ERA by a Arizona hurler since 1975 and the most wins since Scott Erickson in 1989. He led the Pacific-10 Conference in both strikeouts and ERA (.62 ahead of runner-up Tyson Ross) while finishing one win behind leader Josh Satow. He was named the Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year, beating out players like Mike Leake and Ross. He was 10th in NCAA Division I in ERA, tied for 7th in wins and was 4th in strikeouts behind David Price, Brian Matusz and Wes Roemer. Preston was named a first-team All-American by Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball while the American Baseball Coaches Association passed him by, picking Price, Bryan Henry, Adam Mills and Jacob Thompson among starters.

The Californian slumped to 6-4, 4.38 as a junior with 93 K to 22 walks in 96 2/3 innings. He still joined Leake, Ross, Daniel Schlereth, Drew Storen and two other hurlers as All-Pac-10. The Oakland Athletics took him in the 22nd round of the 2008 amateur draft but he returned for a senior year to try to boost his stock back to where it had been as a sophomore.

Guilmet rebounded somewhat in 2009, going 6-5 with a 3.74 ERA and over a strikeout per inning. He didn't make All-Conference. He finished second in Arizona history with 419 strikeouts (4th in Pac-10 annals). The Cleveland Indians took him in the 9th round of the 2009 amateur draft; the scout was Byron Ewing.

Preston made his pro debut with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, going 6-6 with a 4.09 ERA and only 16 walks in 70 1/3 innings. He moved to a closer role in 2010 with the Lake County Captains and did not allow a run in his first 10 2/3 innings. He finished the year 4-1 with 11 saves, a 2.25 ERA, 79 strikeouts in 52 innings and a WHIP under 1. He was even better with the 2011 Kinston Indians, going 1-1 with 35 saves, a 2.16 ERA, a WHIP under 1 and over a strikeout per inning. He led the Carolina League in saves (3 ahead of Sean Gleason), appearances, walk rate and WHIP. He was named the loop's All-Star relief pitcher (Robbie Ross was the starting pitcher). He then played in the Arizona Fall League.

He remained a top closer in 2012 with the Akron Aeros (2-2, 24 Sv, 2.39). He tossed 6 1/3 shutout innings in the playoffs, saving five more games, to help Akron to a title. He tied Justin Friend for the Eastern League save lead; only Vic Black pitched more games than his 50. He led Indians minor leaguers in both games pitched and saves. He was the EL All-Star relief pitcher (Mike Kickham and Chris Heston were the other pitchers). He continued to shine with the Columbus Clippers to open 2013 (2-4, 16 Sv, 2.32, 50 K in 42 2/3 IP) and got the call to the majors to replace Carlos Carrasco. He relieved Justin Masterson in his debut, with a 2-1 deficit in the top of the 7th, the bases loaded and two outs. He struck out Munenori Kawasaki on a full count to escape that jam. After Jose Reyes grounded out to open the 8th, Vinnie Pestano relieved. Guilmet was then sent back to the minors with Danny Salazar getting called up.

Primary Sources

• Arizona bio
• 2010 and 2013 Indians Media Guides

Related Sites

• Preston Guilmet on mlb.com
• BR Minors page