Daniel Espino

The Indians' first round pick is another Espino kid who moved from Panama as a high schooler to become eligible for the draft.

The last Espino was a 10th round pick in 2006.

Thirteen years later Daniel Espino, taking mostly the same path, was a 1st round pick, 24th overall.

The former has toiled for 13 years in the minors getting only a couple of cups of coffee in 2017 with the Brewers and Rangers.

The latter will take his first step, hopefully, this summer.

So let's break down this pick.  The last few HS pitchers the Indians took in the first round was Triston McKenzie.   Also notable first round picks (including supplemental first rounders) who were HS pitchers include Adam Miller and one other guy I can't recall right now.   We also had second rounders like Trey Haley and Juan Hillman.  And who can forget the 2001 draft where selected two HS pitchers in the first round: Daniel Denham (never made it to the majors), Alan Horne (did not sign) and JD Martin (cups of coffee years down the road).

As you can see, our luck drafting high school pitchers early has been limited, at best.   McKenzie looked like a sure thing but he keeps getting hurt.  Adam Miller, who probably holds the Indians' team record in at least one category (most times being the Indians' top prospect without ever making an appearance in the majors), was another notable Indians' prospect who, just for luck, should never have his name mentioned in the same paragraph with McKenzie......Oooops!

Was this a good pick?  Maybe, maybe not.   But I think the Indians' hand was called very early in this draft.   A number of college position players linked to the Indians in mock drafts were gone long before their draft slot.   College pitchers who were available probably can be had (or guys with similar tools) in the 2nd and 3rd round.   Espino was the best SIGNABLE player on the board at this point.   Yeah, there were higher ranked HS pitchers but Espino was a good AND safe choice here.

I think, if he stays healthy, Espino becomes a lock to make the majors as a reliever, or at least as much of a lock as an 18 year old can be.  If that is what the Indians bought with their $2.83 million slot then so be it.   As the scouting reports say, he doesn't have a lot of upside in his body and, maybe, except for the mechanical flaws that Trevor Bauer pointed out, not in his arm, either.   Of course, when you touch 100 mph already, it doesn't take much improvement except in command.

So, was this a 'safe' pick like Beau Mills was?  Absolutely not.   It was a SAFE pick as in we are as likely to get a major league player out of this slot as any other late first rounder we have ever drafted.  So I applaud this pick.   The Indians are great at taking college pitchers and turning them into studs in the bullpen (e.g., Cody Allen).   Let's see how they turn this flamethrower into a ML reliever from his roots as a HS kid.

Now, on to tomorrow.