Paolo Espino

Paolo Espino - Right-handed Pitcher
Age: 21 Height: 5'10" Weight: 190 Bats: Right Throws: Right

	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	K	BB9	K9	WHIP
2007 Lake County	4	5	3.66	33	13	0	108.3	95	44	20	31	116	2.58	9.64	1.16
Career	4	5	3.66	33	13	0	108.3	95	44	20	31	116	2.58	9.64	1.16

History: The Indians selected Espino in the 10th round of the 2006 Draft out of high school (Bradenton, FL). Espino was signed in July of 2006, but 2007 was his professional debut as he did not pitch for a short-season league team in 2006.

Strengths & Opportunities: The Panamanian righty showcases a fastball that usually sits at 90 MPH and tops out at 92 MPH, and he compliments it with a good curveball and changeup. His best pitch is his changeup, but all three of his pitches grade out as at least average with the chance to be above average pitches.

Espino started last season in the backend of the Lake County bullpen, but after progressing nicely and going 2-1 with a 3.65 ERA and .213 batting average against in 20 appearances out of the bullpen he was moved into the starting rotation in June. Espino finished the year in the rotation, and was strong as he went 2-4 with a 3.66 ERA and .243 batting average against in 13 starts. He pitched better than his win-loss record and ERA show, as he pitched every fifth day and pitched strong just about every time out going five or six innings, and only in two of his final ten starts did he allow more than two runs.

The decreased workload to start the season helped manage his innings pitched total to a comfortable level for the organization, and he responded well by improving as the year went on and showing some increased velocity the last month of the season. Espino is young, so he will continue to work on refining his control and command to effectively pitch to contact so hitters get themselves out. Also, because of his small size, durability is a concern with him.

Outlook: Espino is part of a nice group of Latin pitchers in the lower level of the system that have good upside. He along with Kelvin De La Cruz, Hector Rondon, and Jeanmar Gomez represent the next wave of good pitching talent coming up in the Indians system. Down the road, because of his size, Espino may be more suited for a bullpen role, but for now he should stay a starter. He should open the season in the Kinston starting rotation.

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