Article: Postseason Review: Eduardo Escobar

[stringer bell]

Entering 2014, Eduardo Escobar was pegged by most as a standard-order utility infielder. He was a switch-hitter with a pretty good glove and OK speed who had demonstrated the ability to capably fill in at short, third and second. There was some chatter that EE shouldn't make the Twins coming out of spring training, but most viewed him as a good fit for the utility infielder role. Some wanted to see "Eddie 400" in 2014--that is at least 400 at-bats-- to see what the still-young Venezuelan could do with more consistent playing time.The early season gave Escobar his chance. Pedro Florimon, already seen as a subpar hitter, got off to a woeful start and Escobar got several early starts at shortstop. The rest is, as they say, history. Escobar hit .357 in April and backed that up with a .322 (.865 OPS) May. Florimon was demoted and Escobar became the de facto starting shortstop.

 

Escobar returned to earth in June and July--his average fell to .274 at the end of June--and then he stabilized. Eduardo finished with a .275 batting average and his OPS ended at .721, good for a 102 OPS+. The season qualifies as a breakthrough. Escobar had more plate appearances than in his previous three years combined (over a year and a half in the majors). Escobar set career highs in almost every offensive category, played solid defense at three infield positions (metrics vary among the three) and showed durability.

 

Esco still has some issues. He struck out 93 times and walked only 24, keeping his OBP relatively low at .315. Many, including myself, doubt he can replicate his extra-base numbers (35 doubles among 43 XBH). Escobar is not an explosive runner and thus will never have excellent range. All of this limits his upside to about what he was this year.

 

Escobar ended with dramatic platoon splits. In just over 300 ABs, he had only a .654 OPS as a left-handed hitter, while in 131 at-bats as a right-handed hitter, his OPS was .877. It does appear that Eduardo has been a stronger RH batter throughout his limited major league career.

 

If someone had said going into the season that the Twins would have a young switch-hitting shortstop who could field capably, and be an asset at the bottom of the order, most Twins fans would have been ecstatic and guaranteed the guy a starting spot for years. However Escobar's rise coincided with the emergence of Danny Santana, who has the speed and explosiveness that Eddie 400 lacks.

 

Next year's role for Escobar is up in the air. He may revert to a 3-position utility guy or he could become a "10th starter" filling in for multiple infielders, but not having a specific position. If injuries occur, Escobar could slide in for whoever gets hurt. If Santana stays in the outfield, perhaps he could hold shortstop.

 

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[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Escobar is my favorite Eduardo - and I was really surprised by all the doubles this year. I think he has played his way into a regular gig with the Twins, it will be interesting to see how the next manager wants to use him along with Santana.

Edited October 9, 2014 by Kirby_waved_at_me

[hybridbear]

With those platoon splits it might be worth making sure he's always in the starting lineup against LH SPs and then using him in a utility role when needed against RH SPs.

 

I hope that the next Twins manager believes in platooning players where appropriate.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Danny Santana has the opposite platoon split, though he still hit over .300 vs. lefties. If the Twins use Santana in CF against lefties and start Eddie at SS in those games, they are probably maximizing the opportunites for both guys. Aaron Hicks also hits LHP better than RHP... So Hicks in LF, Santana in CF, Escobar at SS (unless the Twins sign a FA left fielder that mashes LHP)...

[Dman]

I really like steady Eddie and always have.  I don't see All-Star in his future but I think he can be a middle of the pack SS.  For the short term I don't mind Santana in center.  I would like see Eddie stick at short for next year if for nothing else than to build his trade value.  Santana, Polanco and Dozier are going to have to battle it out for who starts in the future.

[h2oface]

Get Santana to shortstop.  Escobar is the utility guy.  Nice breakdown by Kirby_waved_at_me.  I am sure that the new manager will understand platooning.  I think only one manager didn't, and he will not be managing the Twins anymore.

[GoGonzoJournal]

I think Esco earned the starting job at SS, but I wouldn't mind a platoon. Santana proved he's talented enough to make a quick switch in positions, so when they need him to play SS, he'll be ready. Esco was the better defensive SS, too. Santana stays in CF, platoon Schafer and Hicks in LF, start Esco at SS.

[James Richter]

If the Twins can afford to have someone of EE's quality as their bench IF, that will be a sign that they're on their way to being a good team again.

[HitInAPinch]

I think this will all shake out when we hear the answer to one simple question:

Who's the best CF on the roster?  IMHO, that's Santana.  Good arm, but still needs to learn the nuances in playing the position.  And then there's the hitting....

 

Can another other CF on the roster hit better than Santana??

[Paul Pleiss]

I like Eddie as the starting SS going into 2015. If the Twins go out and sign a true CF or Aaron Hicks can show more than on base skills early in the season, then SanDana can start getting regular, or at least semi-reglar reps at SS, but I think the best bet is to have both Eddie and Danny in the lineup everyday, and that likely means Eddie at SS and Danny in CF.

 

This is a good problem to have.