CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Espinosa Selected to All Star Futures Game

Published on June 26, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


WOODBRIDGE, Va.- All season long, Danny Espinosa has brought stability to manager Trent Jewett's lineup. He has provided the Potomac Nationals with a golden glove, a cannon for an arm, and the ability to hit for both average and power while getting on base with the regularity of the changing tides. The Nats' third round pick in 2008 came into the season as the number one ranked shortstop in the Washington Nationals' system by Baseball America after a strong showing in Vermont in 2008 (.328 average in 19 games).

In 2009, the Nationals deemed Espinosa primed for a promotion as the switch-hitter skipped low-A Hagerstown and jumped right to Potomac. The California product has rewarded the organization's faith in him, carrying a .264 average into the second half of play with nine home runs, a .375 on base percentage, and a team-leading 15 doubles. His sizzling season has now culminated in Espinosa's selection to participate in the All-Star Futures Game in St. Louis during the Major League Baseball All-Star Break with the top prospects in all the minor leagues.

The All-Star Futures game is held two days before the Major League Baseball All-Star Game and pits the greatest Minor League prospects from the United States against the top Minor League phenoms from across the globe in an exhibition showcase of the top talent coming soon to a ballpark near you.

The 22-year-old Espinosa will be joined by some of his fellow Carolina League brethren including Lynchburg's Pedro Alvarez, Myrtle Beach's Jason Heyward, Salem's Casey Kelly, Frederick's Brian Matusz, and Wilmington's Danny Duffy. Alvarez and Matusz have already been promoted to Double-A but spent the majority of the 2009 season's first half in the Carolina League.

Espinosa started the season with a scorching month of April, hitting .333 with an astounding .476 on-base percentage. He struggled a bit in May, hitting just .188 but found his power stroke, clubbing seven home runs in the month. He has since bounced back, hitting .286 in the month of June while recording an on-base percentage of .360 while being consistently penciled into the number two spot in the lineup.

The thrill of playing with the best prospects in all of Minor League baseball in St. Louis' Busch Stadium will be a treat in and of itself, but for Espinosa, the legend manning the top step of the dugout will make the experience even more unforgettable.

St. Louis Cardinals Hall-of-Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith will be managing the U.S. team, giving Espinosa the chance to pick the brain of the man most consider to be the greatest defensive shortstop of all-time. "The Wizard" spent 19 seasons in the big leagues, 15 of those with the Cardinals, winning a Gold Glove in 13 consecutive seasons from 1980-1992. Always a crowd pleaser, Smith was renowned for his patented backflips as he ran out to his position on the diamond.

Under Smith's tutelage, Espinosa will look to prove his mettle against on a national stage. This will not be Espinosa's first time playing with "U.S.A." emblazoned across his chest. In 2007 while a sophomore at Long Beach State, Espinosa was selected to the Pan-American Games to play for the U.S. on a team that would eventually take home the silver medal.

This will be the 11th annual Futures Game, a contest that has produced 39 Major League All-Stars and over 200 big leaguers according to Jonathan Mayo of mlb.com. You can catch the game on Sunday, July 12 at 2 ET live on ESPN 2.

Espinosa and the P-Nats are currently in Wilmington in the midst of a three-game set with the Blue Rocks. Game two of their series will take place Friday night with first pitch at 7:05 ET. You can listen to all the action live on www.potomacnationals.com with Dan McGinn and Anthony Masterson starting with the pregame show at 6:45 ET.

For more information on tickets, daily promotions, and all things P-Nats, call (703) 590-2311 or log onto www.potomacnationals.com to join the party!

Check out the Potomac Nationals Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Carolina League Stories from June 26, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central