WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

2009
VSL:  4-1-0, 2.74 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 62.1 IP, 3.2 BB/9, 6.9 K/9

Espinoza had a good VSL debut at age 18, allowing only 41 hits in 62.1 IP, with good control and a decent K rate.

2010
VSL:  1-1-0, 3.46 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 54.2 IP, 2.8 BB/9, 4.1 K/9 

In his second year Espinoza took a step backwards, allowing a lot more hits than innings pitched and fanning very few.

2011
VSL:  4-3-1, 4.37 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 68.0 IP, 2.9 BB/9, 8.1 K/9

Back for a third year, Espinoza posted a higher ERA but pitched better, allowing fewer hits and fanning a lot more batters.

2012
R:  5-0-1, 3.65 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 24.2 IP, 4.9 BB/9, 6.9 K/9

Espinoza pitched out of the bullpen in the GCL.  He didn’t give up a lot of hits, but his walk and K rates weren’t very good.  He was a strong groundball pitcher.

2013
R:  0-0-2, 0.00 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 1.1 IP, 0.0 BB/9, 20.2 K/9
A-:  3-2-5, 2.55 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 24.2 IP, 5.5 BB/9, 9.5 K/9
A+:  0-0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP, 1.1 IP, 0.0 BB/9, 13.5 K/9

The Pirates assigned Espinosa to the GCL in late June.  He pitched two games there and one as a fill-in at Bradenton before settling in with the Jamestown bullpen the rest of the year.  He shared closing duties there with Brett McKinney and pitched well, striking out over a batter an inning and holding opponents to a .181 average.  He did, however, have control problems.  He also had trouble with left-handed hitters, who had a .432 OBP against him.

Espinoza took a step forward in 2013.  He should open next season at West Virginia or possibly Bradenton.