Guthrie was born in Roseburg, Oregon and grew up in Ashland, Oregon. As a youth, he attained the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. Guthrie attended Ashland High School, where he excelled in basketball, football, baseball, as well as the classroom, where he was class valedictorian. After high school, he attended Brigham Young University before transferring to Stanford University, where he was a starting pitcher on their baseball team.

Guthrie was the ace of the Stanford University staff and formed a battery with Ryan Garko. He pitched in the regionals that season against MAAC champion Marist College in the first gamee and won 5–3. His team made it all the way to the World Series final in Omaha, but lost 12–1 in the Championship to the Miami Hurricanes.

Guthrie was the first-round selection (22nd overall) of the Cleveland Indians in the 2002 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the Indians on October 3, 2002. His four-year, $4 million contract included a $3 million signing bonus.

...
Wikipedia