Alcides Escobar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alcides Escobar |
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Escobar with the Washington Nationals in 2022
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| Free agent | |||
| Shortstop / Second baseman | |||
| Born: December 16, 1986 La Sabana, Venezuela |
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| Professional debut | |||
| MLB: September 3, 2008, for the Milwaukee Brewers | |||
| NPB: June 19, 2020, for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows | |||
| MLB statistics (through 2022 season) |
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| Batting average | .258 | ||
| Hits | 1,486 | ||
| Home runs | 45 | ||
| Runs batted in | 478 | ||
| Stolen bases | 178 | ||
| NPB statistics (through 2020 season) |
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| Batting average | .273 | ||
| Home runs | 1 | ||
| Runs batted in | 30 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Alcides Escobar (born December 16, 1986) is a Venezuelan professional baseball player. He plays as an infielder, mainly at shortstop or second baseman. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals, and Washington Nationals. He also played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. Currently, he is a free agent, meaning he is not signed to a team.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Alcides Escobar was born in La Sabana, Venezuela. Baseball runs in his family! He is a cousin to pitchers Edwin Escobar and Kelvim Escobar. He is also related to shortstop Maikel García and outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr.. His uncle, José Escobar, was also a shortstop. Alcides started playing baseball when he was just four years old. He has said that he looked up to another Venezuelan shortstop, Omar Vizquel, as his hero.
Baseball Career Highlights
Starting with the Milwaukee Brewers
Alcides Escobar began his professional baseball journey early. On July 9, 2003, when he was only 16, he signed with the Milwaukee Brewers. He started playing in the minor leagues in 2004. He played for teams like the Helena Brewers and the West Virginia Power. In 2007, he played for both Single-A and Double-A teams. He showed great skill, hitting for a combined .306 average.
In 2008, Escobar was mostly playing for the Double-A Huntsville Stars. On September 1, 2008, he got his first call-up to the Major Leagues! He made his MLB debut two days later as a defensive player at shortstop. In his very first time at bat, he got his first career hit, a single.
Before the 2009 season, Baseball America magazine called Escobar one of the top young players in baseball. In 2009, he played in the All-Star Futures Game, which features rising stars. He was the starting shortstop for the World team and played very well. Later that year, he was called up to the Brewers again. He even stole his first base in a Major League game. After the 2009 season, the Brewers made Escobar their main starting shortstop for 2010.
Playing for the Kansas City Royals
On December 18, 2010, Alcides Escobar was traded to the Kansas City Royals. He joined a group of talented players in this trade. In 2011, he played in 158 games, hitting 4 home runs and getting 46 RBI.
In 2012, Escobar signed a big contract extension with the Royals. This deal kept him with the team for several more years. He was a very consistent player for the Royals. In 2014, he was one of the few players in MLB to start in all 162 regular season games. He finished that season hitting .285, with 74 runs scored and 31 stolen bases.
In 2015, Escobar had an amazing year. He was known for his "sacrifice hits," which help other players score. He led all of Major League Baseball in this stat! During the 2015 ALCS, he set a record by getting a hit to start the game in four straight games. He was named the ALCS MVP for his outstanding performance.
In Game 1 of the 2015 World Series, Escobar hit an exciting inside-the-park home run on the very first pitch! This was the first time that had happened in a World Series game since 1929. The Royals went on to win the 2015 World Series, making Alcides Escobar a World Series champion! He also won a Gold Glove Award in 2015, which is given to the best defensive player at each position.
In 2016, Escobar got his 1000th career Major League hit. He continued to be a strong defensive player. The Royals kept him for the 2017 season. In 2018, he re-signed with the Royals for another year. After the 2018 season, he became a free agent.
Other Teams and Return to MLB
In 2019, Escobar signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles and then the Chicago White Sox. He played well in the minor leagues for the White Sox's Triple-A team.
Later in 2019, he signed with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in Japan. He made his NPB debut in June 2020 and hit his first home run in July. He played 104 games for the Swallows.
In May 2021, Alcides Escobar signed a minor league contract to return to the Kansas City Royals organization. He played for their Triple-A team, the Omaha Storm Chasers.
With the Washington Nationals
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On July 2, 2021, Escobar was traded to the Washington Nationals. He quickly joined their main team. On July 18, he hit his first Major League home run since 2018. In the same game, he hit a "walk-off single," which means his hit won the game for the Nationals in the final inning! He finished the 2021 season with good hitting numbers. He even signed a contract to stay with the Nationals for the 2022 season. In a surprising moment on July 5, 2022, Escobar even made his pitching debut for the Nationals, throwing a scoreless inning! He was later released by the Nationals in August 2022.
Mexican League Teams
After his time in MLB, Alcides Escobar continued his career in the Mexican League. In 2023, he signed with the Leones de Yucatán. He played 55 games for them. Later that year, he joined the Acereros de Monclova, where he played 26 games and hit 5 home runs. In 2024, he signed with the Tigres de Quintana Roo. He played 77 games for the Tigres before being released in December.
See also
In Spanish: Alcides Escobar para niños
- List of players from Venezuela in Major League Baseball
