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EWRY ESPINAL, CORNER OUTFIELDER
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| Born: December 18, 2002 Height: 6’0″ Weight: 185 Bats: Left Throws: Right Signed: Int’l Free Agent, 2019, Pittsburgh Pirates How Acquired: International Free Agent Country: Dominican Republic Agent: N/A |
WTM’s PLAYER PROFILE |
| Espinal’s primary asset is raw power, which impressed observers at showcase events and in fall instructionals. His speed is below-average and will keep him in an outfield corner, although he has a good arm.
2021 Espinal struggled badly in his first season. He showed a lot of patience, but obviously had severe problems making contact. Espinal played exclusively in right. 2022 The Pirates brought Espinal to extended spring training in 2022, but they sent him back to the DSL anyway. He played mostly at first, where he struggled defensively, while spending a little time in left. Espinal hit the ball with much more authority than the previous year. He also doubled his walk rate while continue to strike out a ton. In fact, he put the ball in play in just a hair over 40% of his plate appearances. He did very well as a base stealer. It’s hard enough to know what to expect from such young players, but Espinal’s stratospheric walk and K rates make it harder than ever to project what’s likely to happen in the FCL, where he should be in 2023. |
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CONTRACT INFORMATION
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| 2023: Minor League Contract |
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PLAYER INFORMATION
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| Signing Bonus: $225,000 MiLB Debut: 2021 MLB Debut: N/A MiLB FA Eligible: 2025 MLB FA Eligible: N/A Rule 5 Eligible: 2023 Added to 40-Man: N/A Options Remaining: 3 MLB Service Time: 0.000 |
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TRANSACTIONS
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| July 2, 2019: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent. |