University of South Carolina Aiken Athletics

2025: Did not compete.

2024: Appeared in nine games, sporting a 2-1 record … Tossed 24.2 innings with 15 strikeouts … Pitched two frames against UNC Pembroke … Tossed a frame at No. 11 West Florida … Struck out two and picked up the win in four innings of work against American International … Struck out five in three frames in the win at Francis Marion … Had four strikeouts in 5.2 innings at Newberry … Worked 1.1 innings against the Wolves … Tossed 1.2 frames at Flagler … Picked up the win after going 5.2 innings with four strikeouts against GCSU … Threw one-third of an inning at Lander. 

2023: Appeared in 12 games, earned five starts and won one game … Pitched 31 innings … Struck out 33 batters … Worked two scoreless innings and posted three strikeouts in the season-opening win over Carson-Newman … Struck out two while throwing 1.1 innings at Newberry … Had two strikeouts in the win over Francis Marion … Worked 0.2 innings giving up two runs on one hit and a walk in win over North Georgia … Pitched five innings giving up two hits and a run with four strikeouts against Southern Wesleyan … Collected his first win of the season with six innings pitched giving up two runs on three hits while also striking out nine and walking two in the win over the Coker Cobras … Pitched 5.1 innings giving up three runs on two hits with two strikeouts in the top-25 contest against Newberry … Pitched two-thirds of an inning against Coker giving up a run and two hits … Pitched a third of an inning in relief in game one loss to Young Harris giving up two runs and one hit with a strikeout and a walk … Got the start and pitched five inning giving up two runs on one hit while striking out eight in the non-conference game against Augusta at SRP Park … Started and pitched 2.1 innings in the series finale against Augusta giving up four runs on six hits with two strikeouts and a walk … Faced two batters allowing two runs on two hits in bracket finals loss to YHC.

High School: Attended Camden County H.S. … Earned all-region honors as a junior as a pitcher (first-team) and infielder (second-team) … Batted .382 with a .432 on-base percentage his junior season … Registered a 2.56 ERA with 64 strikeouts on the mound … Played showcase travel ball with Rip City baseball.
 
Personal: Derek Ray Espinoza was born February 22 in Austin, Texas … Son of Steven Espinoza and Maribel Garcia … Has a younger brother, Manuel … Majoring in mechanical engineering.