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Toronto Blue Jays: Who is Santiago Espinal?

By Paul Taylor

TORONTO, CANADA - JULY 11: A general view of the Rogers Centre and the CN Tower before the Toronto Argonauts CFL game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on July 11, 2013 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - JULY 11: A general view of the Rogers Centre and the CN Tower before the Toronto Argonauts CFL game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on July 11, 2013 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Blue Jays received Santiago Espinal as part of the trade which saw Steve Pearce head to Boston, but what do we know about the shortstop?

The Steve Pearce era is over in Southern Ontario. As reported by Chad Thornburg of MLB.com, the Toronto Blue Jays traded Pearce and cash considerations to the Boston Red Sox on Thursday evening.

In return, the Blue Jays received minor league infielder, Santiago Espinal. Almost immediately, fans clamoured to find out more about the team’s newest acquisition.

Espinal was selected in the 10th round of the 2016 MLB draft by the Red Sox. Since then, his progress with the organization has been steady.

However, this season has seen the 23-year-old take his production to a new level, playing at the Class-A Advanced level for the Salem Red Sox. Through 65 games, he has a slash line of .313/.363/.477.

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Espinal has hit seven home runs and 32 RBIs, while walking 18 times. As per Sportsnet’s Mike Johnston, he was on a 15-game hitting streak which was only ended after he was pulled from Thuerday’s game, when the trade to Toronto was completed.

Overall, Espinal has a .287/.342/.385 slash line during his minor league career, during the course of three seasons and 214 games. In total, he has hit 11 homers and 88 RBIs, while registering 67 walks.

The Dominican-born player mostly lines up at shortshop. However, he does offer the option of some versatility, having also played at second and third base.

Before being drafted, Espinal played at Miami Dade Community College. During his time in Florida he was named First Team All-State and All-Region for Miami Dade, as well as the 2016 Southern Conference Player of the Year.

Espinal, who stands at 5 foot 10 and 175 pounds, throws and bats right-handed. He will now be placed with Toronto’s Class-A Advanced affiliate, the Dunedin Blue Jays

Next: Is Marco Estrada a genuine trade candidate?

What’s your take on the Toronto Blue Jays’ decision to trade Pearce? Do you agree with the move or not, and why? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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