When the Cleveland Guardians took Daniel Espino in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft, they were selecting one of the pitchers with the most upside in the class.
Top fastball velocity, quality breaking pitches, command, composure… Espino had it all.
Unfortunately, since 2022, he has been the victim of an endless series of injuries.
Just when we all thought we would see him this year, news surfaced that he will miss the entire 2024 campaign with another shoulder issue.
“Guardians No. 4 prospect Daniel Espino had surgery to repair an injury to the shoulder capsule and rotator cuff. MLB’s No. 100 prospect, who missed all of last season, is expected to miss this season as well,” MLB Pipeline tweeted.
Guardians No. 4 prospect Daniel Espino had surgery to repair an injury to the shoulder capsule and rotator cuff.
MLB's No. 100 prospect, who missed all of last season, is expected to miss this season as well: https://t.co/iDklfFOJQn pic.twitter.com/rPSMKS7ots
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 14, 2024
The last time Espino pitched in a minor league game was on April 29, 2022.
Since that day, he has suffered knee tendinitis and then shoulder soreness, which led to surgery and him missing most of 2022 and all of 2023.
The offseason went great for him and he appeared ready for mound work.
Unfortunately, that won’t be the case.
The hope is that Espino, who is still just 23, is ready to return to the mound next season, where he will likely see most of the time in Double-A and the rest would depend on him.
Still, having undergone shoulder surgery multiple times, it’s fair to wonder if he will be able to regain his strength, stuff, and command.
Guardians fans, and supporters from all teams, want to see him succeed on the mound.
NEXT: Top Guardians Prospect Is Having A Spring To Remember