Yunel Escobar - Fantasy News & Updates
Yunel Escobar - Fantasy News & Updates
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The 26-year-old continued to show signs of improvement this past season, hiking up his power a bit while retaining his contact skills. His one drawback is the lack of significant activity on the basepaths (5 SB), but the overall package is more than enough to make for a fine mixed-league option.
Escobar pushed his average to .299 with just his second two-hit performance in his last 12 contests. The hitting slide has put his second .300 campaign in question, although a few more multi-hit games could safely position him for a .300-plus season.
On Sunday, Escobar was still feeling some discomfort from the 71-mph Pedro Martinez curveball that hit him near his left elbow one night earlier. There were no major hiccups Monday, however, so activate the respectable fantasy shortstop accordingly.
LaRoche strained his back while diving for a ball during the latter portion of Friday night's loss to the Phillies and felt further discomfort before exiting Saturday night's game in the seventh inning. "It wasn't horrible until I took my last swing on a changeup or something," said LaRoche, who took some additional swings in the batting cage before confirming he was unavailable for Sunday's game. "Hopefully it's nothing that will keep me out very long." The Braves also started Sunday's game without Brian McCann, who was given a day to rest, and Yunel Escobar, who told the Braves he was still feeling discomfort courtesy of the Pedro Martinez curveball that struck his left arm on Saturday night.
Escobar has heated up since going hitless in 10 consecutive at-bats, racking up six hits in his last 15 at-bats to kick his average back up to .303. The third-year shortstop has put together a solid campaign, drilling 14 homers, scoring 76 runs and posting a formidable .833 OPS.
Escobar turned his ankle on first base while running out a liner that struck Bronson Arroyo in the back during the fourth inning. Escobar left the game and was replaced at shortstop by Omar Infante, who manned the position again on Saturday. Escobar hinted on Friday that he could miss "two or three days," so he might not be back until Sept. 8 considering the Braves have an off-day on Sept. 7.
No word yet on the condition of Escobar's ankle or whether he'll make it back to Atlanta's lineup Saturday. Omar Infante replaced him at shortstop Friday, and would likely do so again if necessary. Escobar went 0-for-1 to drop his average to a still-stellar .304.
Escobar has attained at least one hit in 15 of 17 affairs, so it's safe to say the shortstop has been a incredibly reliable option for mixed-leaguers. He hit .357 with a 1.008 OPS in 42 at-bats last September, so his recent string of hitting makes it seem as though he could go on a similarly productive run, with a larger number of at-bats, this September.
Escobar is one hitless game off an 11-game hitting streak, so perhaps Saturday's effort is the beginning of a new double-digit streak. He's hitting .331 since the All-Star break, making him a dependable everyday shortstop option for mixed-leaguers.
Escobar stretched his hitting streak to 11 ballgames with the three singles. He's accumulated just one extra-base hit, a homer, among the 16 hits during the streak, so owners looking for a shortstop with pop won't find it here. Still, the .305 batting average is definitely easy on the eyes.
Escobar just keeps on hitting. His 62 RBIs already represent a new career best, and he continues to hang around .300. During his current seven-game hitting streak, Escobar has gone 10-for-26 (.384).
Escobar has now hit in four straight, and scored six runs in his last three games. His average is back up above .300 after a 2-for-19 skid earlier this month dropped it into the .290s, and his breakout fantasy season is continuing apace.
Escobar has now hit in two straight and seems to be straightening things out after a 2-for-19 skid. While he has had some issues with the Braves coaching staff this season, Escobar has been solid for fantasy owners -- his 11 homers are already a career high, and his next RBI will establish another career best. Escobar should continue to hang around .300 for the rest of the season, which should be enough to get him a middle infield spot in most fantasy formats.
It's unclear whether Escobar is back to 100 percent. Given the go-ahead to play at the last minute on Monday, the Braves shortstop was making his first start since he was struck by a Rick VandenHurk fastball on July 30. If other options exist, consider benching him until he proves his wrist is healthy enough for him to hit the ball with authority.
Escobar is able to swing a bat, but what is holding him back for now is his inability to throw without pain. Continue to employ your best replacement option until it's clear that Escobar is ready to return.
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