EVERY couple of weeks when I sit down to write this column I try and think of a way to introduce an up-and-coming local prospect to you. Alex Escobar needs no introduction, though.
For three years now, Escobar has been the Mets’ top outfield prospect. Some people have tabbed him as Alex “The Great.” Others call him the next Roberto Clemente. Amazin’s diehards can’t help but salivate when the thought of Escobar roaming center field at Shea comes up.
What is astounding about all the hype that surrounds the 21-year old Venezuelan is that he really hasn’t played all that much. Up to this season, Escobar has been completely healthy for just one full season, 1998.
In that season, however, the 6-1, 185-pounder batted .310, with 27 homers and 91 RBIs with Single-A Capital City. It seemed as everything was falling into place for Escobar, with some projecting he’d be in Flushing as early as 2001.
Then last year, shoulder and back injuries forced Escobar to miss all but three games. Nevertheless, his star didn’t fade. This year, he’s healthy again, and the hype has heightened.
Going into last night’s game against the Norwich Navigators, Escobar was hitting .290 with 15 dingers, while driving in 63 runs for Double-A Binghamton.
“I think he’s getting comfortable at [Double-A],” Mets assistant GM and Director of Player Personnel Jim Duquette said. “It was a big jump. I think he’s right on schedule.”
Mets fans hope he’s on their schedule. However, with GM Steve Phillips at the helm, no prospect is safe.
Escobar’s name came up quite a bit when the Mets were looking to bring over Barry Larkin. Escobar says that trade rumors don’t bother him, and his play thus far indicates that’s the truth.
“He’s really picked it up since his name was rumored in the Larkin trade,” Duquette said. “He’s been on a little bit of a run. We were real cautious with him at first, but recently, he’s running much better.”
Duquette also said, “I know for a fact that he wants to stay here, and we want him to stay here.”
No GM in their right mind wouldn’t want a talent like Escobar, which is why the possibility of someone blowing the Mets away with an offer is always there.
How much is he worth, though? Do you give him up for an accomplished star? Or do you say “no thanks” and wait for him? Which then brings up questions like: Is he a risk? Can he stay healthy?
Escobar says he just wants to play.
“There is nothing you could do about [trade rumors],” said Escobar. “You just try not to think about it. Whatever happens is going to happen no matter what you do. I just think about the game. I just want to get better every night.”
The ceiling on Escobar is very high. His strengths are pretty easy to notice. He’s got power, speed, defensive-instinct, and arm strength. The only real weakness that Escobar has shown as a Met is his command of the strike zone, which only playing time can remedy. He struck out 133 times in 1998 and has fanned 103 times this season.
Escobar said that he can’t worry about lost time. He just want to show everyone that he’s fine and ready to move ahead. It’s not hard to root for him to do so, either, especially when you listen to him speak about the major leagues. You begin to realize the respect he has for the game and the players who play it.
“For me, I look up to everybody that’s made it up [to the majors],” said Escobar. “They’ve gone through what I’m going through now. They know how it is.”
Pretty soon Escobar will know how it feels to be big-leaguer himself.
