Alex Escobar

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Alex Escobar

Washington Nationals — No. --
Outfielder
Born: September 6, 1978 (1978-09-06) (age 29)
Bats: Right Throws: Right 
Major League Baseball debut
May 82001 for the New York Mets
Selected MLB statistics
(through 2007)
Batting average     .258
Home runs     13
Runs batted in     52
Teams

Alexander José Escobar [ess-coe-BAR] (born September 6, 1978 in Valencia, Carabobo State, Venezuela) is a Major League Baseball outfielder in the Washington Nationals organization.

Escobar was signed by the Mets as a non-draft amateur free agent in 1995 and made his debut in 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 2002 season after tearing his left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during Spring Training. In 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[1], however, his career has never taken off due to injuries.


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