Righthander Jose Espada, graduated from high school Jose Collazo Colon Juncos, was the first Puerto Rican selected yesterday in the amateur draft in the majors, when the Toronto Blue Jays claimed him in the fifth round, 152 overall shift.
In total, eight Puerto Ricans were claimed on the second day of the draw, between rounds 5 to 10. Today concludes the 2015 draft rounds 11 through 40.
Espada selection was somewhat surprising because it was expected that the first 'pick' playground was right Alexis Diaz and the southpaw Moran Jovani. Nor was expected that no player outside patio in those first five rounds.
"I was very surprised because I had al- UNPACKING below and Alexis Moran" admitted Espada, natural Coamo.
6'0 "tall and 170 pounds, Espada has a fastball that reaches 88 miles. He said he hoped it was who chose Toronto because since before the draft and the organization was talking to his coaches and his counselor. This has become a practice as the teams want to know the layout of the sign as a professional baseball player.
"They had spoken to Roberto Santana, which is what has developed me. Toronto he kept in touch with him until the day he talked with him and Melvin Roman, "he said about who will be his agent.
With Santana, he played for the FTB Sword team in the Big League.
"I'm from Coamo, but I live in Las Piedras. I moved here about eight months ago, school, workouts and games. "
"I am extremely happy, thankful for all people who helped me. Expect it to be that organization (Toronto) which esco- Giera me, it is my favorite team by Roberto Alomar, "he added referring to the former second baseman Hall of Famer who won two World Series with the Blue Jays in 1992 and 1993, when Espada was born.
Meanwhile, center fielder Nestor Muriel, 6'2 ", was the second choice, in turn 169 in the sixth round by the Houston Astros.
On the same lap, first baseman Edwin Rios, 21 and 6'3 "tall, was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers on turn 192. Rios is a college player with Florida International University (FIU), parents Puerto Ricans.
Meanwhile, in the seventh round they were chosen lefty pitcher Moran, turn 200, for the Minnesota Twins, and shortstop Cancel Gabriel (219), of Kansas City.
In the eighth round San Diego Padres outfielder picked Aldemar Burgos, in turn 237. Muriel, Burgos Moran and graduated from the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy.
The last two Puerto Rican teams arrived yesterday in the tenth round. In turn 293 Chicago Cubs shortstop chose to San Lorenzo, Vimael Machin, who had already gone to the 2011 draft and was selected in round 29, but declined to sign with the Padres to go to Virginia Commonwealth University. Meanwhile, the right-hander Kelvin Rivas, was claimed in turn 296 by the Miami Marlins, Oklahoma Baptist University.