Indians pick Espino, Boston selects Lugo, Machado reminisces
By Tab Bamford
Dreams come true
The Cleveland Indians selected Daniel Espino, a righthanded pitcher from Georgia Premier Academy, with the 24th overall selection in the 2019 MLB Draft. Espino left Panama to pursue his baseball dream in the United States as a 10-year-old.
"It's Amazing!"@Indians selection Daniel Espino's dream came true in Studio 42. #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/aIb5WCKVq5
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) June 4, 2019
From Beltrán to Boston
Later on Monday night, with the 69th overall selection, the Boston Red Sox selected shortstop Matthew Lugo, who played at the Carlos Beltrán Academy in Puerto Rico. Lugo is Beltrán’s nephew. The celebration at the academy was awesome.
Machado remembers when
Manny Machado shouted out the 2019 draft class with a throwback photo of himself from his draft year (2010).
Nine years and a $300 million contract later, Machado celebrated a grand slam Monday as the Padres beat the Phillies.
Polo wants the Cup
Our friends Polo Ascencio and Bengie Molina were in the house as the St. Louis Blues faced the Boston Bruins in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. The Blues hung on to win, tying the series at two games each.
Chicago stars doing work
There were four games on the major league calendar Monday. The early game was a makeup between the Angels and Cubs at Wrigley Field. Javier Báez and Willson Contreras led the way offensively as the Cubs won big. Cubs reminded fans that voting for the 2019 MLB All-Star Game is open.
Fan Post of the Day
The impact that high profile baseball players can make at any age can be remarkable. A coach tweeted his congratulations and thanks to Espino for taking time to encourage younger players.
Congrats to Daniel Espino on getting drafted by the Cleveland Indians as the 24th pick of the first round of the MLB draft. Thanks for taking time out to encourage our RBI youth. pic.twitter.com/4vrM1PkQtt
— Ken Willis (@Coach_Willis) June 4, 2019
Pro Post of the Day
Clearly St. Louis’ Carlos Martínez has passed his impeccable fashion sense on to the next generation. Good luck keeping up with these two!
OTD
2016 – The San Diego Padres acquired 17-year-old shortstop prospect Fernando Tatís Jr. and pitcher Erik Johnson from the Chicago White Sox for pitcher James Shields.
2012 – With the first overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft, the Houston Astros selected shortstop Carlos Correa. Correa was the first Puerto Rico native to be taken first overall.
2000 – Esteban Yan of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays ended a 38-year drought for American League pitchers when he hit a home run in his first career at bat. Yan became the 77th major league player to homer in his first at bat, but the first American League pitcher to do it since Don Rose of the Angels in 1972, the year before the DH was created. Yan was just the fourth American League pitcher to accomplish the feat.
1990 – The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves 2-0. Dodgers starter Ramón Martinez tied Sandy Koufax’s club record with 18 strikeouts in a game.
1967 – Roberto Clemente drove in all four Pittsburgh runs with two homers off Don Drysdale as the Pirates defeated the Dodgers 4-1.
1938 – Martin Dihigo struck out a Mexican League-record 22 batters in a 13-inning game for the Veracruz Eagle against the Tigres de Comintra.
Happy birthday!
Freddy Peralta (b. 1996)
Jorge Bonifacio (b. 1993)
J.C. Romero (b. 1976)
Robert Pérez (b. 1969)
Tony Peña (b. 1957)
Featured Image: Cope Sports Management Twitter