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Daniel Espino debuts as the No. 11 prospect in the Cleveland Indians system after he was the Tribe’s first round draft pick in 2019.
The 6-foot-2, 205 pounder drafted out of Georgia Premier High School possessed the best fastball out of all high school prospects in the 2019 draft. He dropped to the Indians due to concerns about his size and mechanics.
Unlike many previous Indians first round picks, Espino quickly debuted in the Arizona Rookie League, making six dominant appearances where he struck out 16 and walked five in 13.2 innings. Espino only gave up seven hits and three earned runs, good for a 1.98 ERA with a 0.88 WHIP.
This earned Espino a promotion to Low-A Mahoning Valley, where Espino continued to strike opposing hitters out at an alarming rate, although he was more hittable. The Panama-native held a 6.30 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in a small sample size of 10.0 innings over three starts, but in his second to last start of the season, he whiffed a ridiculous 9 batters in just 4.0 innings, with one walk and two hits. Overall, Espino’s strikeout rate improved after he was promoted, whiffing 18 batters in those 10.0 innings.
Of note, Espino is the first Indians high school prospect to earn a promotion to Mahoning Valley the year they were drafted since..........Francisco Lindor.
Depending on how advanced the Tribe feels Espino’s development is, he could begin the season in Low-A Mahoning Valley, or he could start off straight in full-season Lake County like they did with 2018 first round draft pick Bo Naylor. Regardless, he’s set himself up to be a quick riser in the Indians system.
Logan Allen, LHP (Age 22)
2019 (AAA): 18 GS, 80.0 IP, 22.3 K%, 9.3 BB%, 5.85 ERA, 5.57 FIP
2019 (MLB): 4 GS, 27.2 IP, 13.4 K%, 10.2 BB%, 6.18 ERA, 5.49 FIP
Headlining piece of the Trevor Bauer trade, Allen was a top 100 MLBPipeline prospect at the time of his acquisition. Allen had a great MLB debut (7.0 shutout innings vs Milwaukee), but struggled in many of his other 2019 appearances in both MLB and Triple-A.
Will Benson, OF (Age 21)
2019 (A): 259 PA, .272/.371/.604, 18 HR, 18 SB, 14.3 BB%, 30.1 K%, 172 wRC+
2019 (A+): 255 PA, .189/.290/.304, 4 HR, 9 SB, 12.2 BB%, 28.6 K%, 75 wRC+
Former 1st round pick dominated in his repeat stint at Lake County in 2019, one of only two MiLB players in 2019 to have a 20 HR, 20 SB season (besides Luis Robert). Struggled after midseason promotion, but did post career-low K% at High-A.
Aaron Bracho, SS (Age 18)
2019 (R): 137 PA, .296/.416/.593, 6 HR, 4 SB, 16.8 BB%, 15.3 K%, 162 wRC+
2019 (A-): 32 PA, .222/.344/.481, 2 HR, 0 SB, 15.6 BB%, 25.0 K%, 141 wRC+
Injury kept him from debuting in 2018, but the DR native made up for it in 2019, rebuilding his hype by posting incredible numbers in the AZL and earning a promotion to Mahoning Valley.
Bobby Bradley, 1B (Age 23)
2019 (AAA): 283 PA, .264/.344/.567, 33 HR, 0 SB, 10.2 BB%, 33.8 K%, 125 wRC+
2019 (MLB): 84 PA, .178/.245/.356, 1 HR, 0 SB, 8.2 BB%, 40.8 K%, 51 wRC+
A career best 33 home runs at Triple-A earned the slugging first baseman his first cup of coffee with the Indians. He hit the hardest home run for the Tribe in the statcast era, but also whiffed in 40% of his at bats. Will need to cut down on the Ks if he wants to stay in the show.
Yu Chang, SS (Age 24)
2019 (AAA): 453 PA, .253/.322/.427, 9 HR, 0 SB, 9.2 BB%, 23.7 K%, 88 wRC+
2019 (MLB): 49 PA, .178/.286/.274, 1 HR, 0 SB, 13.1 BB%, 26.2 K%, 50 wRC+
Slowed by injuries in 2019, but made his MLB debut and showcased improved patience against MLB pitchers. Potential full-time utility candidate for the 2020 season with room to grow.
Angel Martinez, SS (Age 17)
2019 (DSL): 261 PA, .306/.402/.428, 1 HR, 11 SB, 11.1 BB%, 11.1 K%, 134 wRC+
One of the top Indians international signings from 2018, Martinez was the top performer of Tribe DSL players in 2019, showcasing patience at the plate and speed on the basepaths.
Scott Moss, LHP (Age 25)
2019 (AA): 22 GS, 112.0 IP, 28.7 K%, 13.1 BB%, 3.13 ERA, 3.41 FIP
2019 (AAA): 4 GS, 18.2 IP, 30.3 K%, 10.5 BB%, 1.93 ERA, 3.14 FIP
Acquired from the Reds in the Trevor Bauer trade, Moss put up career-best strikeout numbers in 2019 and finished the season in Triple-A. Depending on injuries, he could be a spot starter for the Indians in 2020.
Nick Sandlin, RHP (Age 23)
2019 (AA): 15 G, 17.1 IP, 36.0 K%, 10.7 BB%, 1.56 ERA, 3.46 FIP
2019 (AAA): 9 G, 9.0 IP, 29.7 K%, 18.9 BB%, 4.00 ERA, 6.40 FIP
Sidearm-throwing reliever taken in the 2nd round of the 2018 MLB draft. Likely would have made it to the Indians if not for a pair of 2019 injuries, which slowed his ascent through the system.
Ka’ai Tom, OF (Age 25)
2019 (AA): 343 PA, .285/.386/.512, 14 HR, 3 SB, 12.5 BB%, 21.3 K%, 162 wRC+
2019 (AAA): 211 PA, .298/.370/.564, 9 HR, 2 SB, 10.0 BB%, 25.1 K%, 132 wRC+
Breakout 2019 season saw him dominate offensively at both Double-A and Triple-A, nearly doubling his previous career best in home runs. One of few MiLB players with double digit HR, triples and doubles in 2019 (23, 10, 25).
Lenny Torres, RHP (Age 19)
2019 —
Entered 2019 with huge expectations after dominant pro debut as 2018 1st round competitive balance pick, but underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the entire season. Is throwing off the mound and expected to return this season.
Poll
Who should be the No. 12 Indians prospect?
This poll is closed
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8%
Logan Allen
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1%
Will Benson
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24%
Aaron Bracho
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5%
Bobby Bradley
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0%
Yu Chang
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0%
Angel Martinez
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52%
Scott Moss
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1%
Nick Sandlin
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4%
Ka’ai Tom
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0%
Lenny Torres