Alex Escobar

Infobox MLB player

---

width=300
name=Alex Escobar
position=Outfielder
team=Free Agent
number=--
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1978|9|6
debutdate=May 8
debutyear=2001
debutteam=New York Mets
statyear=2007
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.258
stat2label=Home runs
stat2value=13
stat3label=Runs batted in
stat3value=52
teams=
*New York Mets (by|2001)
*Cleveland Indians (by|2003-by|2004)
*Washington Nationals (by|2006)

Alexander José Escobar [ess-coe-BAR] (born September 6, 1978 in Valencia, Carabobo State, Venezuela) is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent.

Escobar was signed by the Mets as a non-draft amateur free agent in by|1995 and made his debut in by|2001. At the end of the season, he was traded to the Indians as part of an eight-player deal that sent Roberto Alomar to the Mets. Escobar missed the entire by|2002 season after tearing his left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during Spring Training. In by|2003, he recovered from a slow start at Triple-A Buffalo Bisons collecting 24 home runs and 78 runs batted in, and looked strong for the Tribe in September and played in 28 games.

In the minors, Escobar was an All-Star in the 'AAA' International, 'AA' Eastern and 'AA' South Atlantic leagues, and he also was selected by Baseball America in the 1998 All-Stars team. Escobar was demoted by the Nationals during Spring Training after hitting just .103 (3-for-29) with two RBIs. He said he wasn't getting enough playing time in spring training. "I'm not swinging the bat. I have to work my way back," Escobar said. "I'm getting used to being on the field every day. It's a combination of everything." Escobar has many traits of an all-star. He can hit for average and is a potential slugger. Also, he has both speed and pure base running skills. In the outfield, he has an excellent range and a strong arm. His only real flaw is his tendency to strikeout with great frequency (112 SO in 388 at-bat). Baseball America rated him as a top prospect for three years [http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/] , however, his career has never taken off due to injuries.

ee also

*List of players from Venezuela in Major League Baseball

External links