The Cleveland Guardians have an abundance of young talent in their organization.
However, you can never have too much.
That’s why fans must be thrilled to know that pitcher Daniel Espino is back on his game and turning heads in the Arizona Fall League.
“A 2019 first-round pick of the Cleveland Indians out of high school, Espino has battled injuries since turning professional. After suffering two shoulder surgeries, and knee issues, Espino made a September start for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers, a Guardians affiliate. Espino’s Fall League performance had to be very encouraging for the Guardians front office. Espino threw an aggressive fastball from 95-98 miles per hour, a wicked slider, a cutter, and a curveball in one inning of work. Espino induced swings-and-misses with impactful pitches. Espino yielded one hit (which could have been called an error), walked one, and struck out one. Espino’s poise made it seem he had been pitching regularly for years. Espino has the stuff to start, or pitch late in games as a high-leverage reliever,” Bernie Pleskoff wrote.
Espino’s hard-throwing style and talent have always been more than evident.
That’s why the team has chosen to be patient with him through thick and thin, and after all these years.
Injuries have hit Espino’s promising career multiple times, but he’s just 24 years old.
The organization is doing the right thing by giving him more opportunities to take the mound and get his legs back under him.
While it will be a winding road, and health will always be a concern, he’s talented enough to be worth all this time, effort and resources.
He’s a realistic candidate to be called up next season if he stays healthy.
That’s, of course, a big if, and he also needs to clear some hurdles and get the job done in the minors.
But from a talent standpoint, there’s no reason to believe he won’t get to the majors.
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