Alcides Escobar (born December 16, 1986, in La Sabana, Venezuela) is a Major League Baseballshortstop for the Milwaukee Brewers. He is considered the best-fielding infielder in the Brewers' organization and is one of the top prospects for the team. As of 2009, he has also been considered the top shortstop prospect in baseball, and one of the top prospects overall.
Career[]
Milwaukee Brewers[]
Escobar was signed as an international free agent by the Brewers in 2003.
In 2007, he split time between Single-A and Double-A, playing 63 games in Single-A Brevard County and 62 games in Double-A Huntsville. He hit a combined .306 with one home run and 53 RBIs.
In 2008, Escobar played mostly for the Huntsville Stars. 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 hit in his first career at-bat in the same game, a single against Scott Schoeneweis of the New York Mets.
In 2009, Escobar appeared in the MLB Futures Game as the starting SS for the World team. During the game, he went 2-for-4 and scored the go-ahead run. On August 12, Escobar was called up to the Brewers from AAA Nashville to replace JJ 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 against the San Diego Padres. Escobar stole second base, also advancing to third on a throwing error.
