Indians Top 100 Prospects: #64 Paolo Espino

64. Paolo Espino - Right-handed Pitcher
Born: 01/10/1987 - Height: 5'10" - Weight: 190 - Bats: Right - Throws: Right

Year	Age	Team	Lvl	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	K	BB/9	K/9	WHIP
2007	20	Lake County	A	4	5	3.66	33	13	0	108.1	95	44	20	31	116	2.6	9.6	1.16
2008	21	Lake County	A	2	0	3.16	19	0	1	37.0	35	13	4	12	48	3.2	11.7	1.30
		Kinston	A+	0	2	8.49	7	6	0	29.2	39	28	5	11	20	3.3	6.1	1.69
		Career		6	7	4.37	59	19	1	175.0	169	85	29	54	184	2.8	9.5	1.28

History: Espino was a 10th round pick in the 2006 Draft out of Pendleton High School (FL).

Strengths & Opportunities: The Panamanian righty showcases a fastball that usually sits at 90 MPH and tops out at 92 MPH, and he complements it with a good curveball and changeup. His best pitch is his plus curveball and is a pitch he has the most confidence in. His fastball and changeup grade out as at least average with the chance to be above average pitches. While he is lacking in size, there is absolutely no lack of heart as he goes right after hitters and works hard.

After such a good showing in his professional debut in 2007 at Single-A Lake County, he was a big disappointment last year at advanced Single-A Kinston where he battled a shoulder injury and inconsistency throughout the first half of the season, and eventually found his way back at Lake County where he did a good job pitching out of the bullpen. He is young, so he needs to continue to work on refining his control and command to effectively pitch to contact so hitters get themselves out. He needs more work with keeping his fastball down in the zone more, which because of his smallish size has been tough to get the ball on a good downward plane. Also, because of his small size, durability is a concern with him.

Outlook: Espino should be in line for a bullpen job at advanced Single-A Kinston to start the 2009 season.

Photo courtesy of Ken Carr

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