Alejandro
Espinoza

Preseason All-State (outfield). This is our third look at Espinoza in this setting. Progress is occurring as a position player, and body is developing nicely. Stood out in his BP round peppering the L-screen, and hitting lasers all around the field. Body, hands, and feet were in sync. Power tool is developing. Profiles at a corner outfield position. Displayed some athleticism in his outfield session and the ability to get rid of the ball quickly on transfers, meanwhile making strong, accurate throws to all bases. 

Riverside County Preseason All-State - small build with twitchy actions in a 5-foot-9 165 pound frame. Strike thrower with a three-pitch-mix with good overall balance. Releases from an over-the-top arm slot and keeps his arm path consistent throughout his throwing motion. Fastball at 82-84 mph with some downward plane and carry but lacks movement. Curveball broke with tight movement at 63-66 mph and twice broke off a sharper curveball at 68 mph. Change-up showed sink at 75-78 mph with the same arm action as his fastball. Engaging the front side more would increase the effectiveness of his pitch arsenal immediately and could make this right-hander an immediate viable pitching option.

SoCal Preseason All State (outfield) - 5-foot-9, 165-pounds. Has a medium frame, young body. Started the day off running a 7.97 60-yard dash. At the plate operates from an open set-up, with a high leg kick taller at the plate. Has a longer stride, uses a leg kick for timing. From the outfield had a velo of 75 MPH. Has a longer motion with a arm angle, makes accurate throws and has carry. Good athleticism, average hands, fluid footwork, clean exchanges, and plays through balls with athletic actions. Does a nice job of getting his body behind the ball, and use his lower-half on his throws.

SoCal Preseason All-State (pitching) - 5-foot-9-165 pounds, stocky build with a strong lower half. Releases from an over the top arm slot, average balance, smooth rhythm, uphill shoulders and finishes with effort. Front side shoots high and the backside sits back creating a pendulum like action for deception and power. Swings the front foot instead of driving towards home, consistent with the landing and pendulum arm action. Curveball showed drastic difference in velocity from fastball but lacks sharp break and feel for the zone. Change-up comes from same release point as fastball and features sink, fade and feel for strike zone. Staying tall and strong on backside should project better feel for curveball and command of the zone.

5-foot-8, 145-pound, small, wiry strong frame with a thick lower half and high backside. Body really projects for future growth. Espinoza features a deliberate and repeatable delivery that has a whole lot of funk to it. Espinoza uses a high front leg lift with a drop-and-drive delivery that allows him to hide the ball in the back very well. He shows average arm speed with loose, easy effort action. His delivery is rhythmic and balanced with consistent inline landing and extension. His fastball shows some late cut action at 74 that he was able to throw for strikes. His curveball shows flashes of being really good. The pitch worked 65-66 with early break and 10/4 shape from the same arm speed as his fastball. Also showed the ability to throw the curveball for strikes when he threw it with conviction. The changeup is a developing pitch that lacks the depth and movement of a plus pitch but shows some arm side run at 65-66 mph. Espinoza really projects well on the mound with continued physical development.