Eduardo Escobar

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #10 prospect in 2012
  A clone of former White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, Escobar advanced from low Class A in 2009 to Triple-A last year. Chicago promoted him in September but never gave him a start, though he did collect an infield hit against Justin Verlander in his first big league at-bat. Escobar is a ballplayer more than a toolkit, the type of guy managers and teammates want the ball hit to with the game on the line. He covers a lot of ground at shortstop but his solid arm isn't quite enough to pull off all the plays from the hole. He's a vacuum cleaner who makes the routine plays and hangs in well on double plays. While Escobar has quick hands at the plate, he has yet to develop the strength or discipline to be an effective hitter. He flashed some pop in the Arizona Fall League after the 2010 season, but it didn't carry over to Triple-A. He has slightly above-average speed but isn't a real basestealing threat. The arrival of Osvaldo Martinez creates immediate competition for Escobar, though Martinez could be moved to second base. Neither figures to displace Alexei Ramirez in Chicago, and Escobar needs a second season in Charlotte to continue his development as a hitter.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #5 prospect in 2011
  Escobar is a highly skilled fielder who could be the next in the long line of White Sox shortstops from Venezuela (Luis Aparicio, Ozzie Guillen, Omar Vizquel). He enjoyed his best season at the plate in 2010, driving the ball better than in the past and totaling 43 extra-base hits, one shy of his total in four previous pro seasons. He stung the ball in the Arizona Fall League, batting .300 with 13 extra-base hits in 28 games, and earned a spot on the 40-man roster. Escobar is a technically solid shortstop with plus range and a quick release that helps him get outs with an average arm. He sometimes tries to force plays, though he made just 25 errors in 136 games last season, a respectable amount for a 21-year-old shortstop. His bat remains a question mark, especially from the left side of the plate. He does have some strength that he has started to tap into, but power won't be a big part of his game and he needs to focus on doing a better job of controlling the strike zone. He has good speed but hasn't developed into a basestealing threat. The White Sox are pleased with Alexei Ramirez at shortstop, but Escobar could provide an alternative if he continues to make strides at the plate. He'll likely begin 2011 back at Double-A Birmingham but could earn big league consideration during the season.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #19 prospect in 2010
  If you didn't have to hit to get noticed on defense, Escobar would project as a future Gold Glove shortstop. But it's unclear if he has enough bat to get to the big leagues. He was overmatched at the plate in 2009, as low Class A pitchers consistently challenged him and he didn't make them pay. A switch-hitter, Escobar doesn't make enough solid contact to put his plus speed to use. He's defensive at the plate, rarely looking to drive the ball despite having deceptive strength, but still struck out three times as much as he walked last season. He did a better job of reading pitchers last year and has improved his basestealing. He's fun to watch in the field, and Kannapolis' middle-infield combo of Escobar and Andrew Garcia was a major reason why the Intimidators went 82-57 and held opponents to 3.8 runs per game. Escobar has Omar Vizquel-like range, sure hands and a strong arm. He played in the Venezuelan League over the winter and will move up to high Class A this season.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #13 prospect in 2009
  The diminutive Escobar didn't arrive until April but still made the most of his first season with a U.S. visa. He opened eyes in extended spring training and did so well in his first week at Rookie-level Great Falls that he was promoted to low Class A. He slid over to second base when first-round pick Gordon Beckham arrived at Kannapolis in August. Escobar is a fluid fielder in the mold of Ozzie Guillen and Omar Vizquel, with good range, excellent hands and a solid arm. A switch-hitter, he has some pop when he centers the ball. He's an adept bunter who's comfortable with a small-ball approach. His plus speed allows him to get infield hits. Escobar often seems defensive at the plate, slapping the ball around. He has limited power and rarely drives the ball into the gaps. He also lacks basestealing instincts, so his offensive value might be limited to his batting average. With college shortstops like Beckham, Sergio Miranda and Tyler Kuhn also in the lower levels, the White Sox face a challenge developing Escobar, who's behind those three as a hitter. He'll likely stay in low Class A and possibly force a position change for Kuhn. Escobar is a better defender, and he'll advance as quickly as his bat allows.