The Cleveland Guardians' season may be over, but some of the organization's most exciting prospects continue to develop and turn heads in the Arizona Fall League. With the league in the middle of its third week, now is a great time to check in on the prospects competing for Cleveland down in the desert. 

Daniel Espino

Perhaps the most intriguing player competing in the desert over the last month has been Daniel Espino, the former top prospect who has already experienced more injuries than most big leaguers do throughout their entire careers.

Now healthy, Espino has picked up right where he left off after missing almost a year and a half of development.

The 24-year-old has pitched in four games, tallying a total of 4.2 innings. In those outings, Espino has allowed just four hits, allowed no runs, struck out seven batters, and has only issued three walks.

The biggest question coming off Espino’s most recent surgery was whether he would be able to sustain his fastball velocity, which routinely topped out at over 100 mph. That speed has quite yet returned, with the heater sitting around 96-97 and his fastball reaching 98.7 mph in his most recent appearance.

A few weeks back, Espino was able to get the pitch over 100 mph.

Still, there’s a lot to like about where Espino is currently and the idea of him coming into spring training, possibly competing for a spot on the big league roster. 

Joe Lampe

Joe Lampe got off to a hot start at the plate after making his fall debut, and he’s only continued to impress on offense as he gets more at-bats in the Fall League.

The right-handed hitter is currently slashing .381/.567/.619 with an OPS of 1.186 in 21 at-bats in 10 games. 

In Lampe’s most recent outing on Wednesday, he reached base twice and even recorded a solid RBI base hit in the seventh inning on the way to a win for his Surprise Saguaros. 

Alfonsin Rosario

There’s been a lot to like about what the Guardians are seeing out in Arizona this fall, but it’s still taking Alfonsin Rosario some time to find his stride at the plate. That said, he got a late start compared to everyone else, joining the team only after Wuilfredo Antunez’s departure due to an injury.

In just five games so far, Rosario has only two hits (2-for-5) and has struck out three times. Hopefully, as the right-hander continues to get more plate appearances, he’ll heat back up to as hot as he was to end the minor league season just a month and a half ago.