Stars such as Francisco Lindor, promising players such as Clint Frazier and Justus Sheffield that are just beginning their big league career (Yankees and Mariners respectively) and Cleveland top prospect Triston McKenzie were all high school selections with upside, while the Indians college first-rounders were the proverbial safer selections that have ranged from pitchers Alex White and Drew Pomeranz (Both traded away and only Pomeranz has reached his floor) to Indian outfielders Tyler Naquin, Bradley Zimmer, and Mike Papi, none of whom resemble an everyday starter, let alone a key member of a title contender.
In other words, when the Indians have gambled on possible top-level talent (usually high schoolers), they have found success and when they played the draft conservative, they got what they paid for- conservative results.
Cleveland attempted to tap potential upside again from the high school ranks for the fourth draft in a row going back to 2015 (The Indians did not have a 2017 top pick) after Brady Aiken and McKenzie in 2015, Will Benson in 2016 and Bo Naylor and Ethan Hankins last year with the selection of Daniel Espino, a Georgia righthanded pitcher (Like Hankins last season), that is originally from Panama.
Espino, who moved to the United States in 2016, holds the record for highest fastball speed at 99 at the Perfect Game, which is a showcase event for high school prospects.
Espino is noted to have the potential to have a five-pitch mix with both the curve and slider being regarded as plus pitches by the Indians.
Espino's numbers at Georgia Premier Academy were eye-popping with an ERA of 0.32 and 100 strikeouts in only 44 innings along with allowing just ten hits over those innings.
Now, I'm usually dubious of high school numbers because you always have to wonder just how many future professional or even college hitters that pitchers will be facing, but even considering the competition, those statistics are very strong.
Espino has a commitment to LSU that will have to be bought out, but I would be surprised that would prove to be an obstacle for the Indians.
Espino has the tools of a top of the rotation starter, but some wonder about his thin build (6'2 200) and think he may eventually settle in as a closer.
The build might be the reason that the best fastball in the draft that doesn't appear to have control issues could be available at the end of the first round.
Sorry, this took a bit longer to finish, quite a few crazy days since last week here, but things settling in, so I'm thinking that the inbox could use some cleaning next up.
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