Santiago Espinal

TORONTO -- As the Blue Jays rolled into the clubhouse Saturday morning, John Schneider told Santiago Espinal there would be a team meeting at 11:45 am E.T. ...

What he’s done offensively and how great and steady he’s been, that started in the offseason with him trying to get better at hitting the ball harder. Espinal said that he’s even more excited for his father, Santiago, to experience this than him. “Ever since I was a little kid, I always dreamed of being an All-Star. Getting this opportunity, it’s late, but it doesn’t matter. It’s been a remarkable story for the former 10th-round pick of the Red Sox in 2016. The 27-year-old Espinal has hit .271 this season with six home runs and a .716 OPS, emerging as the club’s starting second baseman while sliding over to shortstop or third base whenever Bo Bichette or Matt Chapman need a breather. Espinal was headed to the All-Star Game, replacing Jose Altuve. The clubhouse erupted with teammates jumping on Espinal, hugging him and cheering. But he and his girlfriend recently decided to stay in Toronto, where he could rest up for the second half and the two could explore the city, which players don’t always have the opportunity to do during a busy season. I didn’t think I was going to the All-Star Game. At this moment now, it’s just amazing.”\n\nOriginally, Espinal had plans to return home for the All-Star break. ,"type":"markdown","__typename":"Markdown"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"santiago-espinal-makes-2022-mlb-all-star-game\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.5":{"contentDate":"2022-06-22T01:46:49.751Z","description":"Santiago Espinal makes a diving stop on a ground ball up the middle to end the bottom of the 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feed","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"santiago-espinal-makes-2022-mlb-all-star-game\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.6":{"content":"Espinal’s whirlwind morning didn’t allow him much time to breathe, let alone plan his trip to L.A. He’s already looking forward to spending time with Juan Soto and José Ramírez -- and since he shares an agency with the great Albert Pujols, he’ll have an opportunity to meet one of his baseball heroes. More of a utility or role player in his first two MLB seasons, Espinal bulked up this offseason and was one of the best stories of Spring Training, all leading to this moment.\n\n“It’s numbers, consistency, then you look at what he does defensively,” Schneider said. Toronto landed Espinal in a 2018 trade for future World Series MVP Steve Pearce -- a deal which has worked out for both sides -- and he’s continued to exceed expectations at each stop along the way." What he’s done offensively and how great and steady he’s been, that started in the offseason with him trying to get better at hitting the ball harder.