Nobody knows for sure if the Cleveland Guardians' right-handed pitching prospect Daniel Espino is going to be a major league star, perhaps statistically the next Shane Bieber, but fantasy managers need to look not only at the skills of young Cleveland pitchers, but trust how much success the organization has had in the recent past. Bieber is the extreme example, but Triston McKenzie sure looks pretty good, Zach Plesac has value and remember Mike Clevinger and Trevor Bauer emerged for this franchise. Espino, Gavin Williams and Tanner Burns may be next.
Espino, 21, made headlines for the Double-A Akron RubberDucks last week when he struck out the first 11 Bowie Baysox before allowing contact, and the final tally was 14 whiffs over five innings. In other words, 14 of his 15 outs came via strikeout. That should pique your interest. Espino left after 67 pitches, and perhaps the Guardians will handle him carefully after the 2019 first-round selection tossed 91⅔ innings over two Class-A levels last season. He fanned 40% of the batters faced. This year he has whiffed 60%.
Strikeouts are not everything, but they are a lot of things in fantasy, and Espino, who should graduate to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers this summer, looks like a future ace. Fantasy managers in redraft formats may be disappointed that he remains at the Double-A level and therefore unlikely to debut in the majors before September, but those in dynasty/keeper formats should be excited. His moving fastball reaches triple-digits, a wicked slider is a clear strikeout pitch and his curveball and changeup are usable offerings.
For those thinking about Guardians pitching prospects offering more immediate aid in fantasy,