Position: SS
Born: 1/5/1989
Ht: 5’10” Wt: 210 lb B-T: S-R
Acquired: Signed from Venezuela in 2009
Career Stats
FutureSox Prospect Rankings
- #13 – 2009 Preseason
- #16 – 2010 Midseason
- #7 – 2010 Postseason
- #6 – 2011 Midseason
- #9 – 2012 Preseason
FutureSox Media
Accolades
- Carolina League All-Star, 2010 Midseason
- Carolina League All-Star, 2010 Midseason
- Arizona Fall League Rising Stars Game, 2010
Scouting Report
Escobar is a slick fielding shortstop whose defense was far ahead of his offense for most of his pro career. With the glove he has garnered comparisons to Ozzie Guillen and Omar Vizquel. With the bat he struggled to keep his OPS above .700 in full season ball. He is a decent bunter and has very good speed, but showed little power throughout his minor league career. He has improved as a base stealer, but still needs to get better to be thought of as a threat on the base paths.
He was streaky offensively, showing good progress in 2010, including a strong stint at the Arizona Fall League where he hit .300 and showed some power. Escobar doesn’t draw a lot of walks, but is a good contact hitter. He eventually added muscle to what was once a 5-foot-10, 150-pound frame. Escobar hit 12 home runs in four-plus seasons in the minors before making his big league debut with the White Sox in 2012.
The White Sox dealt him at the 2012 trade deadline to the Twins. By 2014 he was a regular starter. A year later he reached double digit home runs (12) in the majors. His home run totals from 2017-2019 were shockingly 21, 23, 35. The one-time all-glove, weak-bat prospect turned himself into a weapon and respectable power hitter.