Cesar

Espinal

This is Espinal’s second time being traded, even though he’s yet to pitch in the U.S. The 19-year-old originally signed with Baltimore and then was traded to Kansas City for Jonathan Heasley in Dec. 2023. He had a 3.72 ERA and a 23/19 K/BB in 19 1/3 innings pitching in the Dominican Summer League last year.

The Royals needed to clear a spot on their 40-man roster on Monday for Michael Wacha, so rather than simply designating Heasley for assignment they flipped him for whatever they could get. Espinal, 18, posted a 3.18 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and a 34/11 KBB ratio over 34 innings in the Dominican Summer League in 2023 and has yet to play affiliated minor league baseball.

The Royals needed to clear a spot on their 40-man roster to make room for Michael Wacha on Monday, so rather than designating Heasley for assignment they found a taker for him. While he has struggled to a 5.45 ERA and 1.27 WHIP over 133 2/3 innings in his big league career, Heasley actually has good stuff and could become a functional piece in the Orioles’ bullpen in 2024.