David Espinosa
| AB | 3217 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .251 |
| OBP | .345 |
| SLG | .388 |
| HR | 64 |
- Full name David Lazaro Espinosa
- Born 12/16/1981 in Caracas, Venezuela
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: S / Throws: R
- School Gulliver Prep
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Drafted in the 1st round (23rd overall) by the Cincinnati Reds in 2000.
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His stock has remained high all spring, especially after he put on a great show for West Coast scouts in April as Gulliver Prep won the National Classic, the nation's elite high school tournament. His intangibles set him apart from most players. He plays with unrivaled enthusiasm for the game, has uncanny instincts and understands his role on a team to precision. An accomplished offensive player, he switch-hits, bats leadoff and has excellent speed (6.5 in the 60) with no fear on the bases. Some scouts wonder about his potential with the bat and whether he has the arm or hands to be a true shortstop. Conventional wisdom is that he'll eventually move to second base or even center field. He was on the Marlins' short list for the No. 1 pick less than two weeks before the draft and would be a popular hometown choice.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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The Marlins considered taking Espinosa with the No. 1 overall choice in 2000, but he lasted 23 picks because of signability worries. The Reds had spent most of their draft budget before the draft, so they gave him a unique eight-year big league contract with no bonus but a guaranteed worth of $2.75 million. Halfway through that deal, he's making only slow progress toward the majors. After repeating high Class A in 2003, he had the best year of his career in Double-A in 2004, but he tailed off in the second half of the season. Espinosa can drive balls a long way and also has slightly above-average speed. But he's indecisive at the plate and doesn't put the ball in play nearly enough. He'll take walks, but he strikes out too much and needs to develop a better plan at the plate. Drafted as a shortstop, he had severe throwing problems because of his footwork and moved to second base in 2002 and the outfield in 2003. He fits best in right field, though he has seen time in center. Shifting to the outfield helps him relax and improve both his offense and defense. His best chance for a big league role is as a utilityman. He likely will head to Triple-A this year. -
Rated as one of the best infield prospects in the 2000 draft, Espinosa lasted 23 picks because of signability concerns. The Reds had blown most of their signing budget before the draft, so they signed him to a unique deal: an eight-year, major league contract worth a guaranteed $2.75 million, but with no up-front bonus money. He showed the potential to be a dynamic leadoff hitter while in the Cincinnati system, but his defensive shortcomings led the Reds to include him in a trade for Brian Moehler last July. Espinosa didn't play after switching organizations because of back spasms; the Tigers were aware of his condition and don't believe it will linger. Espinosa offers size, budding strength and good bat speed. He appreciates the value of a walk and has basestealing speed. He's still raw, however, as he strikes out and gets caught stealing too often. He's even less refined as a middle infielder and already has proven he can't play shortstop. His footwork has led to throwing problems, and some scouts believe Espinosa would fit better in center field. Detroit contemplated making that move, but kept him at second base in instructional league and he played relatively well. With a good spring, he could open 2003 in Double-A. -
Like Dustin Moseley, Espinosa spent the summer of 2000 negotiating and made his debut in full-season Class A in 2001. The cash-strapped Reds signed him to an unusual eight-year major league contract worth a guaranteed $2.75 million, but no bonus. He started shakily at Dayton before righting himself. Espinosa is a switch-hitter with some pop, and he has the speed to be a threat on the bases. He also draws walks, so he could fit at the top of a lineup. Despite committing 48 errors, Espinosa actually improved markedly on defense as the 2001 season progressed. He moved back to shortstop after trying second base briefly. Though Espinosa has slightly more pop in his bat as a lefthanded hitter, he maintains the same aggressive approach from both sides. He often is too aggressive, as his strikeout total indicates. He struggled at times with his throwing because he lacked a consistent arm angle and polished footwork. Some Midwest League observers project Espinosa as a second baseman and center fielder. The Reds will keep him at shortstop in 2002, which he'll open in high Class A. -
Like Dane Sardinha--a fellow Boras client--Espinosa didn't sign until September, when he got a major league, bonus-free deal. Espinosa's was for eight years and $2.75 million guaranteed, and it kept intact Cincinnati's streak of always signing its top pick. The Reds like Espinosa's aggressive approach from both sides of the plate. It's not mindless aggression, either. Coaches noticed in instructional league that he has a good idea at the plate, seldom looking overmatched or fooled. He also has above-average speed and arm strength. As with most young players, Espinosa needs to refine his defensive footwork. This could be especially challenging, given his move from shortstop to second base. The plethora of experienced shortstop prospects in the organization and the need to accelerate his progress because he's on the major league roster prompted the decision. The Reds also want Espinosa to gain flexibility, which they think he'll develop over time. He shouldn't regard his position switch as a negative. The Reds are fond of major league second baseman Pokey Reese, but he's likely to move to shortstop once all-star Barry Larkin retires. Espinosa will have to stick in the majors by 2004, when he'll run out of options, but that isn't expected to be a problem. The club's leadoff man of the future, he'll break in at low Class A Dayton.
Minor League Top Prospects
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There were mixed opinions on Espinosa and Lansing's Luis Montanez, two shortstops taken in the first round of the 2000 draft. More managers preferred Espinosa, especially those who saw him progress in the second half. After hitting .239 with 35 errors through mid-June, he hit .285 with just 13 miscues afterward. Espinosa is a switch-hitter with speed, good pop for a middle infielder and the willingness to take a walk. To maximize his use of those gifts, he'll need to stop chasing pitches and learn to read pitchers better once he gets on base. Defensively, he has the hands, range and arm strength for shortstop, and cut down on his throwing errors once he improved his mechanics. Yet some observers think he'll have to move to second base or center field. "He's so young and you can see flashes of his athleticism," Werner said. "I think he's going to be pretty good. He showed me he could play shortstop, and he switch-hits and runs well. It looks like he enjoys playing the game.
