The Padres recently signed right-handed pitcher to a minor league contract, as noted on his MLB.com profile. This marks a return for the 27-year-old, who played for San Diego during the 2022-23 seasons before spending last offseason with the Yakult Swallows in Japan.
However, Espada’s time in Japan didn’t showcase his talents as he had hoped, posting a 5.00 ERA over 27 relief innings with the Swallows. His strikeout rate fell significantly to 13.56%, a stark decline from the impressive 26.59% he recorded over 374 innings in the minor leagues. Though his numbers with the Swallows’ minor league team were stronger, he had already shown promise in the affiliated minors, including a 2.79 ERA over 19 1/3 innings with the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate in 2023.
His solid performances at both Double-A and Triple-A levels enabled Espada to make his MLB debut in 2023, albeit in a brief appearance. He managed to strike out two batters and issue two walks in a scoreless inning during a 12-2 victory against the Cardinals on September 24, 2023. This short outing highlighted a professional career that began when he was selected in the fifth round of the 2015 draft by the Blue Jays, and included time in the Red Sox’s farm system and independent leagues, along with his stints with the Padres and Swallows.
Espada has struggled with control throughout his career, but he has historically been able to generate strikeouts, making his reduced strikeout rate in NPB particularly puzzling. A return to the more familiar environment of Triple-A El Paso could help him regain his form, while the Padres add a known asset to their bullpen depth.
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