Espada was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the fifth round, with the 152nd overall selection, of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft.[1] He made his professional debut with the rookie–level Gulf Coast League Blue Jays, posting a 3.41 ERA in 10 games (7 starts).[2] In 2016, Espada made 12 appearances (10 starts) for the rookie–level Bluefield Blue Jays, recording a 4.92 ERA with 32 strikeouts across 53.0 innings of work.[3]
Espada spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons with the Low–A Vancouver Canadians, posting a 5.14 ERA and 4.88 ERA in 13 games each season.[4] He split the 2019 season between the GCL Blue Jays and Single–A Lansing Lugnuts. In 10 total appearances, Espada logged a 3.09 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 11+2⁄3 innings pitched.[5]
Boston Red Sox
On December 12, 2019, the Boston Red Sox selected Espada in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.[6] He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]
Espada returned to action in 2021, spending the year with the High–A Greenville Drive. On September 2, Espada, Jeremy Wu-Yelland, Oddanier Mosqueda, and Jake Wallace pitched a combined no-hitter against the Asheville Tourists.[8] In 28 appearances for the Drive, Espada registered a 3.09 ERA with 53 strikeouts across 43+2⁄3 innings pitched. Espada elected free agency following the season on November 7, 2021.[9]
On July 1, 2022, Espada had his contract purchased by the San Diego Padres organization.[12] In 11 games (7 starts) for the High–A Fort Wayne TinCaps, he pitched to a 1–3 record and 4.05 ERA with 58 strikeouts across 40.0 innings of work.[13]
In 2023, Espada appeared in 38 games for the Double–A San Antonio Missions and Triple–A El Paso Chihuahuas, accumulating a 2.81 ERA and 110 strikeouts in 83+1⁄3 innings pitched.[14] On September 22, 2023, Espada was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[15] He made his MLB debut on September 24, tossing a scoreless inning of relief against the St. Louis Cardinals and striking out two. On November 17, Espada was non-tendered and became a free agent.[16] On December 1, he re–signed with the Padres organization on a minor league contract.[17]
Tokyo Yakult Swallows
On December 17, 2023, Espada signed with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball.[18] He made 24 appearances for the Swallows in 2024, compiling an 0–2 record and 5.00 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 27 innings pitched. On November 8, 2024, the Swallows announced they would not extend a contract to Espada for the 2025 season, making him a free agent.[19]
