Outside of an organization’s top-20 prospects, there is typically a mix of safe-but-limited college draftees and all-upside lottery tickets. Right-handed pitcher Jose Espada represents the latter, but does offer advanced feel for the game at his age.
The Puerto Rican will turn 20 in late February and is entering his second full season in the organization after being selected in the 2015 draft.
Espada’s 2015 debut quickly established him as an arm to watch while playing in the Gulf Coast League. He pitched 34.1 innings coming out of the draft, holding a 3.41 ERA and an impressive 0.