Sports stats

Yuma Scorpions' Jose Espinal acquired by Taiwan League

August 16, 2005 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Yuma Scorpions News Release


China Professional Baseball League Powerhouse Uni-President Lions signs Pitcher

August 16, 2005: The Golden Baseball League announced today that the Uni-President Lions of the China Professional Baseball League (Taiwan) have acquired right-handed pitcher Jose Espinal of the Yuma Scorpions.

"This doesn't surprise us, because Jose is a major league quality pitcher," said Benny Castillo, Yuma Scorpions' Manager. "I'm surprised he wasn't already grabbed by an MLB team and I think he will be one of the finest pitchers in Taiwan. I hate losing him, but it's a great opportunity for Jose both financially and to continue to impress major league scouts."

The Uni-President Lions are one of the original four founding teams of the China Professional Baseball League (Taiwan) that began play in 1990. In the fifteen years of league play, they have been in the Championship Series 7 times, winning 4 titles. Last year, they lost in the Championship Series to the Sinon Bulls. The China Professional Baseball League (CPBL) is Taiwan's major league and is considered the second-finest league in Asia behind the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league in Japan. The league has six teams that rotate games through 11 major venues on the island, playing 100 games in a relatively light schedule of just 3 to 4 games per week. The 25-man rosters of CPBL teams are allowed 3 foreign players, although only 2 may appear in a game at the same time causing most teams to sign pitchers as their foreigners. Baseball player salaries in Taiwan are the highest except for the major leagues in the U.S. and Japan and average about $90,000 per year for foreign players according to the league website. The CPBL has a trading deadline/roster freeze of August 31st resulting in player churn and opportunities during the last two weeks of that month.

Espinal, a 28 year old right handed pitcher from the Dominican Republic, joined the Yuma Scorpions over a month ago after being released by the Chicago White Sox. In 12 appearances in the GBL he is 1-0 with a Save and an E.R.A. of 1.23. He has struck out 23 batters in 22 innings pitched and walked only 3 and was on his way to becoming one of the premier pitchers in the league. Originally signed by the Chicago Cubs, he reached as high as AA with the Twins organization and was also on the Chicago White Sox 40-man roster in 2004. He had one of his finest seasons with the Yuma Bullfrogs in the independent Western League in 2000 going 8-5 and finishing second in the league in strikeouts.

As part of the agreement to provide him to the Uni-President Lions, the Yuma Scorpions have placed his contract on suspended status. He will be returned to Yuma if he is released from the Lions' roster prior to the September 2006 expiration of his GBL contract.

"Although we have provided 11 players to MLB organizations, this is the first GBL alumni to be acquired by a top-tier international professional league," said Kevin Outcalt, GBL Commissioner. "We are happy for Jose and wish him well as he contributes to another Uni-President post-season run, and are pleased that recognition of the quality of our players is spreading internationally."

About the Golden Baseball League The Golden Baseball League, Presented by Safeway Inc./VONS, is a professional baseball league operating under a single-entity ownership model, with the League owning all the individual teams. Charter Golden Baseball League teams include the Chico Outlaws in Chico; CA, the Fullerton Flyers in Fullerton; CA, the Long Beach Armada in Long Beach; CA, the San Diego Surf Dawgs in San Diego; CA, the Mesa Miners in Mesa; AZ, the Surprise Fightin' Falcons in Surprise; AZ, the Yuma Scorpions in Yuma; AZ and the Japan Samurai Bears which will be the traveling team. The season will consist of 90 games per team and will begin late May and end in early September. Each team will have a 24-player roster.

For general information, please visit our League web site at www.goldenbaseball.com



Golden Baseball League Stories from August 16, 2005


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.

Other Recent Yuma Scorpions Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central