Former Red Sox pitching prospect Anderson Espinoza earns big league promotion with the Cubs
Espinoza will serve as the 27th player for the Cubs day-night doubleheader
When Anderson Espinoza was in the Red Sox system, he was a can’t miss top prospect. The Red Sox traded Espinoza back in 2016 for then Padres starter Drew Pomeranz.
The Red Sox were in need of a starting pitcher. Dave Dombrowski who has a history of trading his top prospects for proven big leaders wanted Pomeranz.
When the Red Sox acquired him, it came at a high price.
At the time of the trade, Espinoza was the Red Sox fourth best prospect. He was the number one ranked pitching prospect in baseball too.
The trade worked out for Boston, during Pomeranz time with the Red Sox they won a World Series. However, Pomeranz time in Boston wasn’t all rainbows and butterflies. He was inconsistent down the stretch in 2016 after he was traded. This lead to media and fan backlash towards the tall lefty.
For Espinoza, his post Red Sox career was filled with injuries and surgeries. He had two Tommy John procedures, one in 2017 and the other in 2019.
Four years later Espinoza finally took the bump for the Padres. Albeit it was last Spring Training, however, the young prospect was finally on display.
Fast forward six years later Espinoza has finally made it to the big leagues. The 24-year-old hurler who is now with the Cubs was selected as the 27th player for the club’s doubleheader on Monday. He was traded to Chicago last season for outfielder Jake Marisnick.
The flame throwing righty earns the promotion despite poor stats for Double-A Tennessee. He is 0-4 with a 7.31 ERA, 36 strikeouts in eight games.
If Espinoza appears in one of the two games, it will be his official major league debut.
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