5 Cleveland Guardians pitching prospects who could make a significant impact in 2023

Daniel Espino

21-year-old righty Daniel Espino is Cleveland’s #1 ranked prospect, and the #15 overall prospect in baseball. He has the highest long-term upside of anyone on this list but may not be ready to help the Guardians until the second half of 2023. He seemed like he was on the fast-track to major-league stardom until a knee injury last May cost him much of the 2022 season. This interruption in his development has certainly delayed his arrival in Cleveland, but with a return to health he could contribute as a starter or a bullpen weapon late next season.

Espino was Cleveland’s first-round draft pick in 2019, and projects as a potential front-line starter. He regularly pitches with his fastball in the mid-90s and reaches 101 mph with a curveball and changeup that all profile as quality major-league offerings. He has progressed quickly, showing improved command, which the Guardians always value.

The interruption in his progress last season will mean that the Guardians will need to watch his innings carefully and consider how to best utilize him once he does reach the big-league level. He likely will not have as significant an impact at the major-league level as other rookies in 2023, but his combination of prospect status and upside should have him on everyone’s radar this offseason.

Logan Allen

Logan Allen is less heralded than Espino, and with lower potential upside; however, he is more likely to have an immediate impact next season. Given his age and the innings he has been able to throw in the minor leagues, the Guardians may be able to push him farther and deeper into the season, making him more likely to have staying power in 2023.

Drafted by the Guardians in the second round in 2020, Allen is a 24-year-old lefty who currently ranks as the Guardians' eighth-best prospect, and projects as a mid-rotation starter. His fastball sits in the low 90s, but his best pitch is his changeup, which makes him effective against righties and lefties. In 2022 he had a 3.33 ERA in 13 starts at Double-A, and then struggled with a 6.49 ERA after reaching Triple-A.

Allen is one of three Guardians prospects who could carry a significant load in the starting rotation this season. He, Xzavion Curry and Tanner Bibee should provide the Guardians with flexibility to move at least one of their starters in a trade this offseason to address other needs.

Xzavion Curry

24-year-old right-hander Xzavion Curry will almost certainly have an impact at the major-league level in 2023. What remains to be seen is whether his future is in the rotation or out of the bullpen.

Drafted as a starter in the seventh round in 2019, Curry is currently ranked as Cleveland’s #11 prospect by MLB.com. After progressing through Double-A (3.65 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 69 innings) and Triple-A (4.58 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 53 innings), Curry debuted in Cleveland in September, making two starts and pitching nine innings at the end of the season.

Heavily reliant on his fastball and without another plus pitch at this point, Curry’s future in the big leagues may be as a high-leverage reliever. Look for the Guardians to keep him stretched out as a starter and potential depth option early in the 2023 season, and potentially make the transition so he can impact their bullpen later in the year if the need arises.

Tanner Bibee

Drafted in the fifth round in 2021, 23-year-old right-hander Tanner Bibee did not make his professional debut until 2022. However, he took the minors by storm, posting a 2-1 record with a 2.59 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 59 innings at the High-A level before being promoted to Double-A. After his promotion Bibee was even better, going 6-1 with a 1.83 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 73.2 IP. His dominance earned him the recognition of being named Cleveland Baseball Insider’s Pitcher of the Year for 2022, as well as being recognized as Cleveland’s #6 prospect, and #99 overall in baseball by MLB.com.

Despite just one year of pro experience, Bibee has everything in place to reach Cleveland this year. Being drafted out of college, and having thrown 132.2 innings last year, his innings limit will not be an immediate factor. He has a four-pitch mix, with a mid-90s fastball that touches 99 mph, a plus slider and a curveball and changeup that will keep hitters off-balance. He has excellent control, and projects as at least a mid-rotation starter. The only question is how much more time he needs to develop before arriving in Cleveland.

Joey Cantillo

Left-hander Joey Cantillo was added to the Guardians’ 40-man roster on November 15 to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. Originally drafted in the 16th round of the 2017 draft by San Diego, Cantillo was acquired by Cleveland as part of the Mike Clevinger trade in August of 2020.

Cantillo’s development has been interrupted multiple times, having missed all of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic before missing much of 2021 due to an oblique injury. He did return and throw 60.2 innings in Double-A this year with a 1.93 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 14 games (13 starts).

Still just 22 years old, Cantillo has a bright future despite the setbacks that he has faced. He pitches with a deceptive delivery and a three-pitch mix including a nasty changeup, which is by far his best pitch, a fastball that has improved with increased velocity – now pitching in the low-to-mid 90s - and a curveball which projects as a quality offering.

The interruptions in his development will put the Guardians in a tough spot this season. Cantillo could have a future as a quality back-end starter but will quickly exceed his career high in innings pitched if he remains as a starter. He could have a more immediate impact with the Guardians as a high-strikeout relief option, who could be used as a multi-inning weapon. Whether they choose to continue to develop Cantillo as a starter or convert him to a reliever could determine how much of an impact he has this season.