Since our last update on the PawSox roster last week a lot has changed. This was largely driven by the Rule 5 Draft with Boston snagging a duo at the Triple-A level.
That duo was right-handed pitchers, Raynel Espinal and Jose Espada. Espinal comes to Boston from the New York Yankees system and Espada from the Toronto Blue Jays.
Espinal, 28-years-old, has been in the Yankees system since 2013 and last year for Triple-A Scranton he posted a 4.38 ERA in 18 appearances, 12 starts. A clear shift occurred for him 2019 with his first year starting double-digit games serving primarily as a relief pitcher prior to 2019. In those 12 starts the Dominican Republic native posted a 3.32 ERA with a 5-5 record and going 59.2 innings.
As for Espada, the 22-year-old was drafted in the fifth round of the 2015 draft by Toronto. While he is currently assigned to Pawtucket’s roster he will likely get bumped down the organization with his highest level of action being High-A. 2019 was an injury-filled season for him as he only managed to appear in 10 games. He owns a 4.61 ERA in 207 minor league innings pitched.
A third move came across for Triple-A Pawtucket but this one is a coaching matter. First hinted by Pawtucket Times reporter Brendan McGair and then later reported by the Boston Globes Alex Spier Paul Abbott will be the next pitching coach for the PawSox. Abbott will take over for former pitching coach Kevin Walker who has joined the big league staff in Boston.
Abbott had previously served as the pitching coach for Double-A Portland. Abbott served in that position for the past two seasons and has been with the Red Sox organization since 2011. Prior to Portland, the former big-league hurler spent two years in High-A Salem as their pitching coach. In Abbott’s playing days the former third-round pick posted a 4.92 ERA in 720.2 innings pitched. Abbott owned a 43-37 record and wore six different uniforms in his big league career after starting with the Minnesota Twins.
Abbott will serve under PawSox Manager Billy McMillion who returns for his second season at the helm with the coaching staff rounded out by Bench Coach Bruce Crabbe and Hitting Coach Rich Gedman.
