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A manager desires flexibility, a Swiss Army knife that can be used for multiple purposes.
Terry Francona has Santiago Espinal.
© Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
“Every good team has a guy like him,” Francona said. “He doesn’t have to hit, although Espy has, but you want a guy like him. You can’t put him anywhere and not worry.”
Just this week, Espinal played five different positions: left field, right field, shortstop, second base, and third base.
Espinal, 30, was an All-Star in the American League as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.
He hit .267 in 135 games that season with 25 doubles, seven home runs, and 51 RBI. He stole six bases.
The Reds acquired Espinal in a late spring trade, March 20, 2024, for minor leaguer Chris McElvain, the Reds' eighth pick in the 2022 draft, a right-handed pitcher out of Vanderbilt University.
Espinal showed his value as arguably the best defensive infielder on the team. Once he got regular playing time, he hit well in the last campaign.
From July 3 through the end of 2024, Espinal hit .296 in 58 games with nine doubles, five home runs, five stolen bases, and 24 RBI. All while playing 67 games at third base, 33 at second base, six at shortstop, and eight in the outfield.
“When I was growing up in the Dominican, they let me play every position, catcher, third, short, every position,” Espinal said. “When I came over here, it was the same thing until I got to high school (Lyman HS, Longwood, Florida), I mostly played shortstop, some outfield.”
“It is fun for me to move around to different positions. It’s the same game,” Espinal said.
He is not just versatile in the field. In just 25 games, he has hit in every spot in the order except leadoff.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m feeling good. I just have to go out and compete, no matter who is on the mound,” Espinal said.
The Reds have also asked Espinal to work at first base.
“They told me to practice at first base just in case. If the opportunity comes, I’m ready,” Espinal said.
So far this season, Espinal is slashing .347/.402/.413. He puts the ball in play, walking seven times and striking out just six times.
“He is just a baseball player. He has great instincts. When I first got the job, (president of baseball operations) Nick (Krall) and (general manager) Brad (Meador) told me that you’re going to want to find a place for him in the lineup.
Francona found more than one place.
Continue reading...
Terry Francona has Santiago Espinal.
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© Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
“Every good team has a guy like him,” Francona said. “He doesn’t have to hit, although Espy has, but you want a guy like him. You can’t put him anywhere and not worry.”
Just this week, Espinal played five different positions: left field, right field, shortstop, second base, and third base.
Espinal, 30, was an All-Star in the American League as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.
He hit .267 in 135 games that season with 25 doubles, seven home runs, and 51 RBI. He stole six bases.
The Reds acquired Espinal in a late spring trade, March 20, 2024, for minor leaguer Chris McElvain, the Reds' eighth pick in the 2022 draft, a right-handed pitcher out of Vanderbilt University.
Espinal showed his value as arguably the best defensive infielder on the team. Once he got regular playing time, he hit well in the last campaign.
From July 3 through the end of 2024, Espinal hit .296 in 58 games with nine doubles, five home runs, five stolen bases, and 24 RBI. All while playing 67 games at third base, 33 at second base, six at shortstop, and eight in the outfield.
“When I was growing up in the Dominican, they let me play every position, catcher, third, short, every position,” Espinal said. “When I came over here, it was the same thing until I got to high school (Lyman HS, Longwood, Florida), I mostly played shortstop, some outfield.”
“It is fun for me to move around to different positions. It’s the same game,” Espinal said.
He is not just versatile in the field. In just 25 games, he has hit in every spot in the order except leadoff.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m feeling good. I just have to go out and compete, no matter who is on the mound,” Espinal said.
The Reds have also asked Espinal to work at first base.
“They told me to practice at first base just in case. If the opportunity comes, I’m ready,” Espinal said.
So far this season, Espinal is slashing .347/.402/.413. He puts the ball in play, walking seven times and striking out just six times.
“He is just a baseball player. He has great instincts. When I first got the job, (president of baseball operations) Nick (Krall) and (general manager) Brad (Meador) told me that you’re going to want to find a place for him in the lineup.
Francona found more than one place.
Continue reading...
