Eduardo Escobar, SS, White Sox (AFL: Saguaros): 2-for-3, HR (3), 2 R, 2 RBI.
Shortstop prospects who really are shortstops are a rarity, and it’s surprising the Escobar doesn’t warrant more attention. The 21 year-old Venezuelan has above-average range and a plus-plus arm, and his bat started to show some signs of life in 2010, as Escobar showed a surprising ability to drive balls into the gap. In a system desperate for prospects, as a good defender with some offensive value, Escobar is the real deal.
Reports from the Arizona Fall League on rehabbing White Sox prospect Jared Mitchell are mixed, at best. He has been healthy enough to play, which is the best sign, but the torn tendon in his ankle does appear to be impacting his play. Through Tuesday he was batting .184 in 11 games, and had struck out in 11 of his 38 at-bats. Any impact on Mitchell‘s speed is a bad thing, as the ability to get on base and create havoc made him projectable as a leadoff man, but he has shown that speed only once so far, on a triple. He’s 0-for-1 on stolen-base attempts. Shortstop Eduardo Escobar, on the other hand, is looking great in the AFL. He’s a switch hitter with strong fielding skills and he’s hitting .333 with three homers in 12 games.
Rogers deduces that Mitchell’s strikeouts and lack of stolen bases and triples means Mitchell’s foot may be a problem – after just 11 games and 38 at bats. Just maybe, Mitchell’s prolonged baseball inactivity since March has left him somewhat rusty and it is reflected in his batting average. And if you’re not on base, how can you steal bases? Furthermore, maybe the Sox have told Mitchell not to extend himself since he just completed his rehab.
Alas, has Rogers even seen Mitchell play in person in Arizona. If so, why doesn’t he say so and that he has seen Mitchell favoring his foot? Keith Law recently said that Mitchell appears to be healthy. I’ve been in Arizona and have attended a number of Mitchell’s game and he is not favoring his foot.
But most importantly, why do you continue to quote Rogers and his inane analysis? Why not go all the way and begin quoting Genghis Khan on table manners? Also, Goldstein appears to just pass along scouts’ opinions and regurgitates them as his own.
If you want credible, in-depth prospect analysis, try John Klima at Baseball Beginnings. You need to focus on the talented people so as to raise the bar of baseball analysis. By continuing to give ink to the imposters, you keep the bar near ground level.
Comment by Anonymous — October 27, 2010 @ October 27, 2010 10:48 pm |
I’ve been in Arizona and have attended a number of Mitchell’s game and he is not favoring his foot.
thanks for the first person report
yes, saying Rogers saying Mitchell’s isn’t healthy based on his batting average is absurd
and yes I shouldn’t have quoted that, Mitchell said himself today his ankle is at about 99%
http://soxbronzetitan.wordpress.com/2010/10/28/jared-mitchell-says-his-ankle-is-99-of-the-way-to-full-strength/
I’ll strike it out!
Comment by The Wizard — October 28, 2010 @ October 28, 2010 2:31 pm |
Thanks for the “revision” and sorry about the “Kenghis Khan/table manners” comment. Rogers makes me do stupid things.
As you know, SS Eduardo Escobar has performed well in Arizona with his bat (.300 BA/3 HR’s) plus his defense has always been first-rate. With Ramirez blocking him at SS, Escobar has trade value especially if packaged with others in a trade for a popular name like A. Gonzalez or C. Rasmus should San Diego or St. Louis be looking for their future SS.
A young, switch-hitting SS with a decent bat (good average with a little pop) and speed to steal a base could bat #2 in a lineup. Couple this with very good defense/range at a very important position, and you have a valuable player/trading chip. Additionally, after seeing him play in Arizona, I thought “This kid carries himself like a major league player”. It’s difficult to define, but his movement at SS/mannerisms at bat just reflect a confident approach to the game.
If you run into Rogers or Dave van Dyke, tell them that the Phoenix fast-food joints are hiring. Just like their current job, no previous experience necessary.
Buford
Comment by Anonymous — October 28, 2010 @ October 28, 2010 4:09 pm |
Thanks for the “revision” and sorry about the “Kenghis Khan/table manners” comment. Rogers makes me do stupid things.
no problem at all. I look at his posts more than I should. thanks for the pointer!
about escobar, yes his afl performance has been a very pleasant surprise. his past performance holds me back though
http://firstinning.com/players/Eduardo-Escobar-a/
but yes, if he sustains this improvement he can be very valuable. SSs with excellent defense can get away with subpar bats.
If you run into Rogers or Dave van Dyke, tell them that the Phoenix fast-food joints are hiring. Just like their current job, no previous experience necessary.
LOL!
Comment by The Wizard — October 29, 2010 @ October 29, 2010 2:29 am |