Alcides Escobar

In 2003, Escobar signed as an international free agent by the Milwaukee Brewers for $35,000 at age 16.[3]

In 2007, he split time between Single-A and Double-A, playing 63 games for the Brevard County Manatees of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League and 62 games for the Huntsville Stars of the Class AA Southern League. He batted a combined .306 with one home run and 53 runs batted in.[4]

In 2008, Escobar played mostly for Huntsville. On September 1, 2008, when rosters expanded, Escobar was called up to the Majors for the first time and made his debut two days later as a defensive replacement at shortstop. He picked up his first career hit in his first at-bat in the same game, a single against pitcher Scott Schoeneweis of the New York Mets.[2][5]

Escobar with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2009.

Before the 2009 season, Baseball America rated Escobar the 19th best prospect in baseball.[6] In 2009, Escobar appeared in the All-Star Futures Game as the starting shortstop for the World team. During the game, he went 2-for-4 and scored the go-ahead run.[7] On August 12, Escobar was called up to the Brewers from the Triple-A Nashville Sounds to replace J. J. Hardy, who had been optioned down. He made his first major-league appearance of the season that night, pinch running for Prince Fielder in the bottom of the 9th inning against the San Diego Padres. Escobar stole second base, his first stolen base of his career.[8][9]

After the end of the 2009 season, the Brewers traded Hardy to the Minnesota Twins, making Escobar the starting shortstop for the Brewers in 2010. Prior to the 2010 season, Baseball America rated Escobar as the best prospect in baseball.[10]

On December 18, 2010, the Brewers traded Escobar, Lorenzo Cain, Jeremy Jeffress, and Jake Odorizzi to the Kansas City Royals for Zack Greinke and Yuniesky Betancourt.[11] In 2011 he batted .254/.290/.343.[2]

On March 15, 2012, Escobar signed a four-year, $10 million extension through 2015 with club options for 2016 and 2017 with the Royals. If both options were exercised, Escobar could earn $21.75 million. Escobar, who was slated to earn $519,500 in 2012, would instead earn $1 million in 2012 and $3 million a year from 2013-2015. His 2016 option was worth $5.25 million and had a $500,000 buyout. His 2017 option was worth $6.5 million and had a $500,000 buyout.[12] The extension covered his final pre-arbitration season and his three arbitration-eligible seasons. The club options covered his first year of free agency.[13]

In 2013, he batted .234/.259/.300, and his .259 on base percentage was the lowest of all qualified MLB batters.[14] His .300 slugging percentage was also the lowest among all qualified batters in MLB.[15]

In 2014, Escobar, along with Evan Longoria, Hunter Pence and Freddie Freeman were the only players in the MLB to start in all 162 regular season games for their respective teams.[16] He finished the season hitting .285, with 74 runs scored, 50 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases.[17]

In 2015, he batted .257/.293/.320. He led the majors in sacrifice hits, with 11.[18] His .320 slugging percentage was the lowest of all qualified major league batters.[19] He also had the lowest ISO (Isolated Power) of all MLB players in 2015, at .064.[20]

During the 2015 ALCS, Escobar set a postseason record by getting a leadoff hit in four consecutive games. He was selected as the 2015 ALCS MVP as he batted .478 in the series.[21] In Game 1 of the 2015 World Series, Escobar hit an inside-the-park home run on the first pitch thrown by the New York Mets' Matt Harvey.[22] It was the first time a player had hit an inside-the-park home run in a World Series game since 1929. He followed by driving in two runs and scoring once on two hits in Game 2.[23] In Game 5, Escobar hit a double in the 12th inning allowing Christian Colon to score to help the Royals defeat the Mets 7-2 in 12 innings making the 2015 Kansas City Royals World Series Champions. In the 2015 postseason, Escobar hit .329 in 70 at bats. He had 23 hits including four doubles and three triples, 13 runs scored, and 9 RBI.[24] He was awarded the 2015 Rawlings AL Gold Glove for shortstops.[25]

In 2016, he batted .261/.292/.350. He again led the majors in sacrifice hits, with 10.[26] On June 3rd, Escobar got his 1000th career Major League hit against Cleveland Indians pitcher Danny Salazar.[27]

On October 10, 2016, the Royals exercised Escobar's 2017 option. The Royals paid him $6.5 million in 2017. He batted .250/.272/.357 in 599 at bats, and shared the major league lead in sacrifice hits, with 7.[28] His .272 on base percentage was the lowest, and his .357 slugging percentage was the third-lowest, among all qualified batters in MLB.[29] He stole four bases, but was caught seven times.[2]

On January 29, 2018, Escobar re-signed with the Royals with a one-year, $2.5 million deal.[30] In 2018 he batted .231 (a career low)/.279/.313.[2] His .313 slugging percentage was the second-lowest among all qualified batters in MLB.[31]

On February 16, 2019, Escobar signed a minor-league contract with the Baltimore Orioles that included an invite to spring training.[32] On March 20, 2019, Escobar was granted his outright release from the Orioles.[33]

On March 22, 2019, Escobar signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox.[34] He was released on August 2, 2019.[35]

On October 30, 2019, Escobar signed with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[36][37] On January 31, 2020, he held press conference with Gabriel Ynoa and Matt Koch.[38]

On December 19, 2019, Escobar made his NPB debut. On July 15, 2020, he hit his first NPB career home run.[39] On November 23, 2020, he become free agent.[40]