3 Guardians prospects who should follow Travis Bazzana to Cleveland quickly

The Cleveland Guardians started a new era on Tuesday by adding Travis Bazzana to their big league roster.

Not only could it help usher in a new era for the Guardians, but it could also open up the floodgates when it comes to the team’s other minor league promotions. 

Here are three players who are playing at Triple-A who should join Bazzana at Progressive Field. 

Daniel Espino, Codi Heuer and Kahlil Watson have played well enough to earn a big league promotion

RHP Daniel Espino 

While the Guardians’ bullpen isn’t an absolute dumpster fire, there are definitely some trash filled embers in the air. Cleveland’s relief unit currently has a 4.57 ERA and just blew another game last night against the Rays. 

It’s clear they need some fresh blood, and Espino seems like the perfect player to provide that. The 25-year-old is finally healthy after missing three seasons and has posted a 3.52 ERA in 7 2/3 innings at Triple-A in his first season in a full-time relief role. 

Not only has Espino hit 100 miles per hour on his fastball, but he’s also racked up 10 strikeouts. It’s clear his swing-and-miss stuff is back. 

The biggest roadblock holding him back is his injury recovery, as he’s gone at least three days between every pitching appearance. 

Still, the Guardians are at a point where that minimal usage could result in a big gain, especially since Colin Holderman has emerged as a viable long relief option. 

RHP Codi Heuer 

Although Heuer isn’t a “prospect” in the same way as Espino or Bazzana, he’s started the season hot at Triple-A and could clearly help the Guardians’ level up their disappointing bullpen. 

The former big leaguer has tallied a 1.00 ERA through his first nine innings at Triple-A along with locking down one save and striking out six. 

Heuer burst onto the scene with the White Sox in 2020 before his career was derailed by injuries, but it seems like he’s back to fully healthy.

The Guardians clearly believe he’ll be a big league factor at some point this season since they added him to their 40-man roster at the end of spring training, and now seems like the perfect time for him to get a chance to prove himself in a lower-leverage role. 

OF Kahlil Watson

Watson’s in his second tour of duty at Triple-A Columbus, only this one’s a little different since the Guardians added him to their 40-man roster in the offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. 

And Watson has answered that call by posting a .228/.396/.456 slashline with four home runs, 10 RBI and 21 walks. 

While Watson’s swing decisions still need a little bit of work (31 strikeouts with a 35.5% whiff rate), his power is legit. 

He wouldn’t be a perfect fit given the number of outfield options the Guardians already have, but he’d provide them with a much-needed spark. 

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