Esquivel Signs Professional Baseball Contract
June 29, 2000
Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – Former University of Miami infielder Lale Esquivel has signed a professional contract with the Schaumburg (IL) Flyers of the independent Northern League. Located right outside Chicago, Schaumburg is coached by former All-Star Ron Kittle, who spent 10 seasons in the Major Leagues primarily with the Chicago White Sox.
Esquivel, a resident out of Arlington, TX, played three seasons at Miami. He first came to Coral Gables in 1997, but opted to transfer to a community college closer to home for the 1998 season. After playing one season at Northeast Texas Community College, Esquivel returned to Miami for the 1999 and 2000 seasons.
Upon his return, Esquivel firmly placed himself as one of the team’s top power hitters. In 2000, Esquivel led the team in home runs (20), slugging percentage (.718) and RBI (66). Additionally, he placed second with 52 runs scored, 41 walks and 125 total bases. At the 2000 NCAA Coral Gables Regional, Esquivel belted two home runs for five RBI and had two runs scored in UM’s winner’s bracket win over Florida Atlantic. The feat landed Esquivel a place on the Regional All-Tournament Team. His team-high 20 home runs, which earned him the team’s Power Bar Home Run Trophy, was also good for seventh nationally. Esquivel was also named MVP of the 1999 Coral Gables Regional, as well as named to the 1999 College World Series All-Tournament Team.
Esquivel is the fourth Hurricane to sign a professional baseball contract during the offseason, as senior pitcher David Gil (Cincinnati Reds), junior right-fielder Manny Crespo (Seattle Mariners) and senior outfielder Mark Walker (San Francisco Giants) also signed contracts with Major League clubs. Gil, a third-round pick, was assigned to play with the Class A Dayton (OH) Dragons. Crespo, a 14th-round selection, reported to the Class A Everett (WA) Aquasox. Walker, a 40th-round pick by the San Francisco Giants, was assigned to the Class A Salem-Keizer (OR) Volcanoes.
