Santiago Espinal Reverting to All-Star Ways Early in 2025
About 13 months ago, the Cincinnati Reds acquired do-it-all utility man Santiago Espinal in exchange for minor league starter Chris McElvain. A move made just a week before 2024's Opening Day, the Reds added Espinal's versatility in light of injuries and suspensions across the infield.
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Santiago Espinal (4) hits a 2-run RBI single in the third inning of the MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.© Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
At 5'10" and 185lbs, Espinal was never brought in to provide power in the lineup. Rather, he was added for his ability to play every infield spot except first and the occasional start in the outfield.
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Espinal's career in a Reds uniform was met with mixed results over this first season. He hit career-high marks in home runs with nine and 11 stolen bases, but finished with a sub-.300 on-base percentage. The former Boston Red Sox 10th-round pick finished the year with a -0.4 WAR and entered this year competing for playing time.
Cincinnati will finally see a healthy Matt McLain ready to make his mark in the majors. Veterans Jeimer Candelario and Gavin Lux will see their regular reps, as superstar Elly De La Cruz plays short. Therefore, leaving Espinal in the super utility role.
And he has thrived. The 30-year-old veteran has already seen time at second and third base, as well as both corners of the outfield. Thanks to his position flexibility, Espinal's defense has been crucial to the early season of the Reds.
13 games may be a small sample size offensively, but Espinal is starting to hit like he did back during his All-Star campaign. In 42 plate appearances, Espinal has a .275 batting average with a .310 on-base percentage and two runs batted in. His .635 OPS signals that there are still improvements to make, but if sustainable would make for his best season since 2022.
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Between the slow start to the year for Candelario and the short absence of McLain, Espinal's hot start has been pivotal. He ranks fourth on the team in hits (11), third in batting average, and leads the Reds in walk-to-strikeout ratio. In other words, Espinal has been the unsung hero so far of this young season.
In his first two years in the majors, Espinal accumulated a 4.8 WAR behind a .282 batting average, nine home runs, and 68 runs batted in over 671 plate appearances. As he returns to his old ways, Espinal could be in for a career year in a critical role for the Reds in 2025.
Related: Reds Upcoming Schedule Could Fuel Early-Season Hot Streak
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