Espinosa Makes Good First Impression
by Janis Carr, Orange County Register
April 13, 2006 LONG BEACH – Danny Espinosa knew the shoes he was trying to fill at Long Beach State were huge. He also knew, as a freshman, the chances of taking over for two-time All-American shortstop Troy Tulowitzki were small.
Tulowitzki was the seventh overall pick in the 2005 draft, a three-year starter for the 49ers and the starting shortstop for Team USA. Could a freshman really replace him?
So much for what Espinosa thought he knew.
The former Mater Dei standout has played all but six innings of the 49ers' 31 games. A switch hitter, he is batting .265, with 31 hits and seven doubles. Plus, he successfully has
handled 164 of 175 chances for a .937 fielding percentage.
"I knew I had to work hard if I wanted that spot," Espinosa said. "I did everything I could do, working really hard on my fielding."
Espinosa also knew something else coming into his first season at Long Beach, which begins a three-game series with Cal State Northridge today. He wasn't frightened by the list of players who have played in that spot before him - Chris Gomez, Bobby Crosby and Tulowitzki.
"I was looking to fill big shoes, but I wasn't intimidated," Espinosa said. "I felt that I could meet the challenge if I played my game."
Long Beach State coach Mike Weathers said Espinosa has shown a level of confidence that few freshmen possess coming into a major Division I program. And after minor tinkering with his throw, Espinosa has handled the ball and himself with the experience of someone older. That prompted the coach to hand him the position on opening night.
"He showed a knack of catching the ball and he had an arm strength that was better than I expected," said Weathers, who opted to give Espinosa the position instead of moving third baseman Evan Longoria.
"We changed a couple of things, mostly not having him hurry to throw the ball. It helped him. He was open to change and that has made the transition quicker and easier for him."
Espinosa was a four-year starter for Mater Dei, helping the Monarchs to the 2005 CIF title and 25-8 record. A two-time All-CIF selection, he batted .288 with 23 RBIs as a senior.
"Because of his experience, he has great confidence in himself," Weathers said. "He has the desire of those really good athletes, and when he does fail, he doesn't go moping around."
Espinosa already has experienced the highs and lows of college ball. In his college debut, he went 1 for 3 off USC All-American Ian Kennedy.
But Espinosa's shining moment was dulled by a lackluster offensive performance in the 49ers' nonconference series against Cal State Fullerton, where he went 1 for 12 in three games.
"After that, I realized I needed to focus, crack down on myself because, like I said, the position is not set in stone," Espinosa said. "Coach could change his mind any day." |
