Edwin Jose Escobar
LHSP
DOB: April 22, 1992
Born: La Sabana, Vargas, Venezuela
B/T: Left/Left
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 195 lbs
Signed: IFA on July 2, 2008
By: Texas Rangers (Scouts: Wilmer Becerra & Rafic Saab)
Bonus: $350,000
Acquired: 7/26/2014 from San Francisco Giants (Traded with RHRP Heath Hembree to Boston for RHSP Jake Peavy and cash considerations)
Roster Status: Boston 40-man
Options Used: 2 of 3 (2013, 2014)
LINKS
* Baseball-Reference.com page
* MiLB.com page
* SoxProspects profile
* Baseball America page
* Baseball Prospectus page
* Baseball Cube page
* Fangraphs page
* Minor League Central page
SCOUTING REPORTS
* Ranked as Giants #2 prospect and MLB overall #56 prospect pre-2014 by Baseball America.
* 2014 BA Prospect Handbook:
* Ranked as Red Sox #11 prospect by MLB.com after 2014 non-waiver trade deadline (was rated the MLB overall #68 prospect in pre-season):
* SoxProspects.com profile:
LHSP
DOB: April 22, 1992
Born: La Sabana, Vargas, Venezuela
B/T: Left/Left
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 195 lbs
Signed: IFA on July 2, 2008
By: Texas Rangers (Scouts: Wilmer Becerra & Rafic Saab)
Bonus: $350,000
Acquired: 7/26/2014 from San Francisco Giants (Traded with RHRP Heath Hembree to Boston for RHSP Jake Peavy and cash considerations)
Roster Status: Boston 40-man
Options Used: 2 of 3 (2013, 2014)
LINKS
* Baseball-Reference.com page
* MiLB.com page
* SoxProspects profile
* Baseball America page
* Baseball Prospectus page
* Baseball Cube page
* Fangraphs page
* Minor League Central page
SCOUTING REPORTS
* Ranked as Giants #2 prospect and MLB overall #56 prospect pre-2014 by Baseball America.
* 2014 BA Prospect Handbook:
Escobar always had size and strength, but he got himself in better condition and made an adjustment to raise his elbow in his delivery, allowing him to locate his 92-93 mph fastball, and for the first time, throw a dependable breaking ball. He gained confidence in his slider and it’s a plus offering at times that he can throw early in the count or as a put-away pitch. His changeup also ranges from average to plus, and he held righthanded hitters to a .222 average. Escobar has a durable arm and likes to throw a lot between starts, so a bullpen role isn’t out of the question. He was pitching in that role in the Venezuelan League, but his three-pitch mix offers too much potential as a starter.
* Ranked as Red Sox #11 prospect by MLB.com after 2014 non-waiver trade deadline (was rated the MLB overall #68 prospect in pre-season):
Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50
Escobar has a good feel for pitching, and he can add or subtract velocity and movement to his low-90s fastball as the situation requires. His slider lacks consistency at times but is an out pitch at its best. He has good feel for his changeup, giving him the potential for three average-or-better pitches.Escobar can throw all of his pitches for strikes and isn't afraid to use them in any count. He has a solid, durable build and profiles as a middle-of-the-rotation starter.
* SoxProspects.com profile:
[SIZE=8pt]Lefty starter with good pitchability. Fastball sits in the low-90s. Good changeup. Slider flashes plus at times versus lefties. Had an excellent 2013 season, but has struggled with home runs this season in the PCL. Very good numbers against lefties, mainly due to his slider. Projects as a back-of-the-rotation starter or reliever. [/SIZE]