Alcides Escobar

2013

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2012

It was a bounce back year of sorts for Escobar in 2011 as he hit for a better average (.254) and got back to stealing bases (26), which was long his calling card in the minors. Unfortunately, he still has not improved his plate discipline enough to really unleash his speed as his did in 2009 at Triple-A Nashville, when he stole 42 bases. His glove is what got him to the majors and it's likely to keep him on the field, but that does little for fantasy owners looking for help at the shortstop position. Those in deeper leagues will want to take a chance on him for his speed, but realize that it comes at a price.

2011

Escobar entered 2010 as a possible Rookie of the Year candidate, but failed to live up to expectations. He finished with a line of .235/.288/.326 with four home runs and 10 stolen bases. The 10 steals were the most disturbing for fantasy owners because he stole 42 the previous season in the minors. Escobar is a high contact type of hitter and he was weighed down by a .266 BABIP. There is a chance that will increase since he was almost always above a .333 BABIP during his minor league career. Don't expect much power from him, but a bump in batting average and stolen bases could happen if the Royals give him a better spot in the lineup and let him run - making him a bit of a sleeper in 2011.

2010

Escobar made his major league debut in 2009, taking over at shortstop for J.J. Hardy. He didn't look overmatched, though he still has a lot of work to do offensively. He stole 41 bases at Triple-A Nashville before being called up, but just four at the major league level. Escobar has little - if any - power, so he'll need to rack up quite a few stolen bases to have as much value in the fantasy world as he does in the real world.

2009

Escobar fulfilled his potential in 2008, hitting .328/.363/.434 for Double-A Huntsville while playing Gold Glove caliber defense. He's just 22 years old so there is no rush to get him to the majors in 2009. Despite a lot of rumors that the Brewers are looking to trade J. J. Hardy to open a spot at shortstop for Escobar, it's more likely that he'll start the season at Triple-A Nashville and get some time at that level. The only way that he'll be part of the team on Opening Day is if the Brewers trade Hardy or move him to third or second base, which is unlikely. A more likely scenario is that Escobar spends most of 2009 at Triple-A and the Brewers make a decision on Hardy after next season.

2008

Depending on who you ask, Escobar is either a top prospect or nothing more than a utility infielder. His glove is already major league ready and has been rated as possible Gold Glove-caliber. The problem is that he's just 20 years old and lacks both power and patience at the plate. He was able to hold his own at Double-A Huntsville at that young age, and may start next season with Triple-A Nashville. He could develop gap power as he matures, but the deciding factor on his future may be whether he can learn how to get on base more consistently.

2007

Escobar took a step back in 2006 after shooting his way up the prospect charts in 2005. After missing the start of the season due to a hamstring injury, he hit just .257 with 19 walks in 350 at-bats for High-A Brevard County. He's still only 20 and is the top middle infield prospect for the Brewers, but his star has dimmed just a bit.

2006

Escobar played well for an 18-year-old at low-A West Virginia, hitting .271 with 30 SB. The downside is that he walked only 20 times for a poor .298 OBP. Escobar was the youngest player in the Arizona Fall League and held his own. He'll start next season at high-A and has quite a bit of potential, but remains very raw.