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Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Santiago Espinal was signed on a minor league contract, agreeing to join the team’s big league Spring Training camp for a chance at a roster spot.
Throughout his time with the Cincinnati Reds, where he spent his last two years, Espinal struggled to make contact and found himself with limited options entering free agency this offseason.
However, according to Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain, it was veteran Teoscar Hernandez who convinced Espinal, a former teammate of Hernandez during his time on the Blue Jays, to come to Los Angeles.
Espinal has been on a tear, racking up nine at-bats and getting five hits, one of which was a double, and getting two RBIs and three walks.
It is a small sample size for sure, but Espinal’s good glove will already be getting him far with the team, and his hitting, if he can be at least slightly below average, makes him a valuable player.
Santiago Espinal’s role on the Dodgers
Dave Roberts has been impressed with what Espinal has offered the Dodgers thus far.
“He’s a former All-Star. I like the bat to ball. He’s a heady player. I’m playing him a lot because I want to get to, you know, gather more information,” Roberts said.
“But I really like what he’s done. I think, you know, I can trust him in essentially any one of the diamonds, you know, the corners, second, third, and I think even in the pitch, he can play short.
“But he takes really good at bats and, you know, things bode well for him. Just got to keep doing what he’s doing.”
He can play third base, second base, and shortstop, offering cover at multiple positions, which the Dodgers really value.
Roberts mentioned that Espinal is primed to be the team’s platoon third baseman, backing up Max Muncy against left-handed pitchers.
“I think that, you know, there’s going to be some times that you want to give Max [Muncy] a day off at third,” Roberts said.
“And he’s a nice, you know, person to plug in. And, you know, as far as second base, if we need that alongside Miggy-Ro.
“But he’s going to be playing some short at times and also at second base. Also, a bat off the bench. You know, I think that if we need a right-handed bat, he’s going to put the ball in play and take a professional at bat.”
Dodgers fans should be excited about how Espinal has played, as it gives cover for injured players like Tommy Edman and other injuries that may come about.
