Looking back, there might not have been a more hyped or anticipated pitching outing in the history of the New Balance Baseball Future Stars Series than Daniel Espino‘s start for the World Team at 2018 International Week.
The Georgia Premier Academy righty, who was touching 100 MPH prior to the event, faced ten batters, allowed just one to reach (Michael Brooks, who walked) and struck out seven. Between our event and the many looks at the many others he pitched in during his amateur career, it was clear that the gregarious Panama native was destined for big things.
Until he wasn’t.
Drafted 24th overall by the then-Cleveland Indians in the 2019 MLB Draft, Espino was sailing through their system and even sidetracked by the COVID season in 2020, returned in 2021 to make 20 starts in his first full professional season, split between Low-A Lynchburg and High-A Lake County. He began the 2022 season in Double-A Akron with a legitimate chance to contribute at the big league level by the end of that year. Instead, for a while, it seemed as though it might be his last.
He struck out 35 in 18 1/3 innings over four starts before being shut down first with patellar tendinitis and then shoulder soreness, wiping out the rest of his year.
2023? Gone. Right shoulder anterior capsule repair surgery, but Cleveland believed so much in his talent and upside, that they added him to their 40-man roster that off-season.
2024? Missed. Another surgery to repair new shoulder capsule damage and his rotator cuff.
2025? Almost entirely missed, but…a well-deserved breakthrough. Just as Cleveland didn’t give up on him, Espino didn’t give up on himself, working all the way back to make an emotional return in a brief start with Triple-A Columbus on the last day of the season this year.
But that’s not all. A perfect candidate for the Arizona Fall League, Espino was assigned to the Surprise Saguaros — who play not far from the site of that 2018 International Week event, Camelback Ranch — and dazzled in his outings, once again touching 100 miles per hour over his four starts, reigniting hope that he can be a generational talent on the mound. In four outings, he struck out seven and walked three, allowing four hits over 4 2/3 innings of work, earning his way into the league’s Fall Stars game, in which he ultimately did not participate.
Having worked his way back to being completely healthy, Espino will likely be handled cautiously to start the 2026 season, but will be a name to keep an eye on as an option for the Guardians at some point during the year, where he could join FSS alums Petey Halpin and Bo Naylor at the game’s highest level.
About New Balance Future Stars Series
The New Balance Future Stars Series presented by Program 15 is a global platform for amateur baseball development and scouting, powered by a commitment to impact, integrity, and player-focused innovation. Its alumni can be found throughout professional baseball, and its events and partnerships have reshaped how talent is identified, nurtured, and celebrated.
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Since 2003, he has covered multiple World Series and has worked high-profile events ranging from the MLB All-Star Game to the World Baseball Classic. In addition to his role working for the Future Stars Series that he's held since 2017, Ashmore currently serves as the beat writer of the Double-A New York Yankees affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, as well as national hockey writer and New York Jets game day beat reporter for The Trentonian.
A regular contributor to Baseball America, Ashmore has worked seven Super Bowls, 12 Stanley Cup Finals, the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NBA Playoffs, College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Frozen Four, Daytona 500, major UFC events and much more as he approaches 3,300 games covered in his career.
An avid trading card enthusiast, he lives with his wife, Sarah, their son, future No. 1 overall draft pick in 2042, William, their beloved dog, Bailey, and occasionally well-behaved cat, Smokey.
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