Paolo Espino #31

Paolo Alesandro Espino...Married to his wife, Leslie, and father to Alana and Mateo...Born in Panama City, Panama, but attended Pendelton High School and IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla....Pitched twice for Panama at the World Baseball Classic (2006 & 2009)...Entering the 2024 season, his 41 career MLB starts are 6th-most among Panama born players, trailing only Bruce Chen (227), Juan Berenguer (95), Jaime Barria (62), Ramiro Mendoza (62) and Randall Delgado (53).

2023

Made three relief appearances for the Nationals, giving up 11 runs over four frames of work (24.75 ERA)...Started 13 games for Washington’s Triple-A team in Rochester, posting a 4-3 record and a 4.33 ERA (29 ER/60.1 IP)...In the first game of a doubleheader on June 10 at WOR, threw his third career Minor League complete game (fourth professional)...Allowed five runs over six innings with nine hits, a walk and four strikeouts.

2022

Opened the season in Washington’s bullpen before joining the rotation on June 12...He ranked eighth in the National League with 1.91 walks per 9.0 innings (min. 100.0 IP)…He posted a 2.12 ERA in 23 relief outings...Espino issued just four walks in 30.1 innings across his first 21 outings...Tossed scoreless relief in 16 of the 21 games (2.08 ERA)…He became the first pitcher in Nationals history (2005-pres.) with at least 10 starts and no wins... Washington went 7-12 in his 19 starts despite Espino not getting a win...Tossed his first career complete game in a rain-shortened loss on Aug. 4 at Philadelphia (4.0 IP).

2021

In his first full Major League season, Espino provided stability to Washington’s pitching staff, both as a starter and a reliever...He went 0-1 with one save and a 3.42 ERA in 16 relief appearances...He struck out 20 batters, walked four and opponents hit .198 (18-for-91) against him...In six relief outings from April 24 to May 14, Espino retired 25 straight batters, a Nationals record (2005-pres.) for a reliever...Combined with the final four outs of his start on April 18 vs. Arizona, he retired 29 straight batters...He joined the rotation on June 16 and in his next seven starts, went 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA with 23 strikeouts and six walks across 33.1 innings pitched...All told, Espino went 5-4 with a 4.50 ERA in 19 starts for the Nationals... Earned his first career win on June 16 vs. Pittsburgh...Recorded first career save on June 23 at Philadelphia...On July 30 - trade deadline day - Espino was called upon to make the start in place of Jon Lester, who was traded at 3:55 p.m. ET...Espino allowed one earned run on four hits with six strikeouts in 5.1 innings of work to earn the win in Washington’s 4-3 win over the Chicago Cubs...2021 Pitch Mix: 4-Seam (55.2%) Curveball (24.2%) Slider (16.4%) Changeup (4.1%).

2020

Opened the season at the Alternate Training Site...Made the start on Sept. 22 vs. Philadelphia (4.0 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 4 SO)...Did not issue a walk...Tossed 2.0 innings of one-hit, scoreless relief on Sept. 27 vs. New York (NL)...Struck out three batters with two walks... Following the season, he went 2-3 with a 3.72 ERA and a .208 opponents’ batting average in six starts for Toros Del Este of the Dominican Winter League...2020 Pitch Mix: Four Seamer (54.5%), Curve (30.9%), Slider (9.1%), Changeup (5.5%).

2019

His eight wins were tied for sixth-most in Washington's chain...Struck out 102 batters against 25 walks across 96.2 innings between Triple-A Fresno and the GCL Nationals.

2018

Went 4-5 with a 5.85 ERA in 22 games (10 starts) between Triple-A Round Rock and Triple-A Colorado Springs.

2017

Saw his 1st major league action, posting no record with a 6.00 ERA (16 ER/24.0 IP) in 12 G/2 GS for Milwaukee and Texas…had 5 total stints in majors…gave up 7 HR as he averaged 2.6 HR allowed per 9 innings…had 5.63 ERA (5 ER/8.0 IP) and 1.500 WHIP in 2 starts, and finished season with 10 relief outings: 6.19 ERA (11 ER/16.0 IP) and 1.313 WHIP…did not have any save chances…spent balance of season in Pacific Coast League, going a combined 5-2, 4.46 (39 ER/78.2 IP) in 17 G/14 GS for Colorado Springs and Round Rock at Triple-A.

MILWAUKEE // Posted a 6.11 ERA (12 ER/17.2 IP) in 6 G/2 GS spanning 4 stints with the Brewers in 1st ML action: 5/19, 6/8, 6/13-7/2, 7/28-31…made MLB debut in start for MIL on 5/19 at CHC (ND, 4.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R-2 ER)…1st outing came at age 30 years/129 days, oldest to debut with a start in 2017 and oldest since Cubs' Tsuyoshi Wada (33.137) on 7/8/14 at CIN (G2)…next game was also a start on 6/8 vs. SF (ND, 4.0 IP, 3 R-ER), then final 4 outings were in relief, last on 7/2 vs. MIA…was optioned to Colo. Springs for a final time on 8/1 and designated for assignment on 8/22.

TEXAS // Acquired from Brewers in exchange for cash considerations on 8/26 and was part of the club's September callups, posting 5.68 ERA (4 ER/6.1 IP) in 6 games in relief…allowed runs in 2 of 6 games…recalled on 9/1 and made TEX debut on 9/2 vs. LAA…finished 4 of his 6 games with TEX, but team was 1-5 in those contests, lone win in his final outing on 9/30 vs. OAK

2016

Had a 3.30 ERA with Syracuse in the International League, lowest since 2012…surpassed 150 innings for a 2nd straight season, 2nd-highest total of his career (152.2 IP).

2015

Posted a career-best 155.2 innings at AA and AAA in the Washington system.

2014

Combined for career-best 1.036 WHIP in top 2 minor league levels in Washington system…also career-best 4.83 SO/BB ratio.

2013

Career-best 141 strikeouts across top 2 levels in the Cleveland organization.

2012

Shuttled between Akron and Columbus for the 3rd straight year, starting a career-best 22 games.

2011

His 1.047 WHIP was 2nd-best in a season in his career…also career-low 2.77 ERA.

2010

Selected an Eastern League All-Star at Akron.

2009

Led Carolina League in ERA (2.59) and WHIP (1.04) in 22 G/21 GS with Kinston.

2008

Spent majority of season in Lake County bullpen after opening campaign in the Kinston rotation..

2007

Career-best 9.6 SO/9 with Lake County (A)