The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Bridgewater, NJ- The Somerset Patriots today announced that first baseman Edwin Espinal has been signed for the 2019 season. 
Espinal enters his first season with the Somerset Patriots and first in the Atlantic League. The 25-year-old played 100 games with Triple-A Toledo (Detroit Tigers) last year, slashing .242 with six home runs and 24 RBI. He previously split his 2017 season between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, where he combined to hit .294 with a career-high 15 home runs and 86 RBI over 130 games between the two levels.
The Dominican Replublic native spent the first seven seasons of his professional career in the Pirates organization after starting as a 17-year-old in the Dominican Summer League. Espinal has earned a number of accolades throughout his career, including: 2017 MiLB.com Organization All-Star (Pirates), 2017 MiLB Gold Glove (Indianapolis), 2017 Eastern League Post-Season All-Star and 2016 & ‘17 Eastern Leauge Mid-Season All-Star.
“We are proud that Edwin Espinal will be joining us this season,” said Somerset Patriots manager Brett Jodie. “We have researched Espinal very thoroughly and have received outstanding reviews on him: not only as a player but as a great clubhouse guy as well. He will be an extremely tough out in our lineup. He’ll drive in runs and has some power, but what I love about him most is his ability to create a positive result during his at bat no matter the situation. Espinal also takes a lot of pride defensively. We are excited to get him in camp and get started.”
Espinal has showed off a slick glove throughout his career, highlighted by an impressive 2017 campaign. The right-handed first baseman did not record a single error over 991 combined chances between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis that season, good for a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. He owns a .995 career fielding percentage at first base, while also appearing in 37 games at third base.
The Somerset Patriots will be back in action on Friday, April 26th for Opening Day at TD Bank Ballpark. Stay up to date on all the team news throughout the offseason online; on all of our social media platforms, and on our mobile app. For more information, visit www.somersetpatriots.com.
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
With eight teams in the Mid-Atlantic and Texas, the ALPB is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 900 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 40 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 22-year history.
For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com
