CLEVELAND — With Spring Training in full swing, MLB.com has released its latest list of the league's top 100 prospects.
And you don't have to look hard to find the top players in the Cleveland Guardians' pipeline.
Altogether, seven Guardians prospects made the latest top 100, with starting pitcher Daniel Espino leading the way at No. 16. Selected by Cleveland in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft, the 22-year-old Espino is followed by right-handed pitcher Gavin Williams (No. 42), outfielder George Valera (No. 51), catcher Bo Naylor (No. 64), right-handed pitcher Tanner Bibee (No. 65), shortstop/second baseman Brayan Rocchio (No. 75) and outfielder Chase DeLauter (No. 82).
Bibee made the biggest jump for the Guardians after previously ranking as MLB.com's No. 99 overall prospect in the 2022 midseason rankings. Williams also climbed from his previous ranking of No. 53, as did Naylor from No. 75.
Meanwhile, Espino fell just one spot from No. 15, while Rocchio dropped from No. 69 and Valera fell from No. 31. This marks DeLauter's first showing in the top 100, after Cleveland selected the left-handed hitter out of James Madison with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft.
As for when Guardians fans can expect to see these prospects in Cleveland, it likely won't be long. MLB.com projects Espino, Williams, Valera, Naylor, Bibee and Rocchio to each arrive at the big league level in 2023 -- one year after 17 rookies made their MLB debuts for the Guardians during their run to the American League Central Division title.