View source for Alcides Escobar

{{short description|Venezuelan baseball player (born 1986)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
| name        = Alcides Escobar
| image       = Alcides Escober Nationals 2022 (cropped 1).jpg
| width       = 200
| caption     = Escobar with the [[Washington Nationals]] in 2022
| team        = Free agent
| number      = 
| position    = [[Shortstop]] / [[Second baseman]]
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1986|12|16}}
| birth_place = [[La Sabana, Venezuela]]
| bats        = Right
| throws      = Right
| debutleague = MLB
| debutdate   = September 3
| debutyear   = 2008
| debutteam   = Milwaukee Brewers
| debut2league= NPB
| debut2date  = June 19
| debut2year  = 2020
| debut2team  = Tokyo Yakult Swallows
| statyear    = 2022 season
| statleague  = MLB
| stat1label  = [[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
| stat1value  = .258
| stat2label  = [[Hit (baseball)|Hits]]
| stat2value  = 1,486
| stat3label  = [[Home run]]s
| stat3value  = 45
| stat4label  = [[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
| stat4value  = 478
| stat5label  = [[Stolen bases]]
| stat5value  = 178
| stat2year   = 2020 season
| stat2league = NPB
| stat21label = [[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
| stat21value = .273
| stat23label = [[Home run]]s
| stat23value = 1
| stat24label = [[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
| stat24value = 30
| teams       = 
* [[Milwaukee Brewers]] ({{mlby|2008}}–{{mlby|2010}})
* [[Kansas City Royals]] ({{mlby|2011}}–{{mlby|2018}})
* [[Tokyo Yakult Swallows]] ({{npby|2020}})
* [[Washington Nationals]] ({{mlby|2021}}–{{mlby|2022}})
| awards      = 
* [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[2015 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2015]])
* [[World Series champion]] ({{wsy|2015}})
* [[League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award|ALCS MVP]] ({{alcsy|2015}})
* [[Gold Glove Award]] (2015)
}} 

'''Alcides Escobar''' ({{IPA|es|alˈsiðes eskoˈβaɾ|lang}}) (born December 16, 1986) is a [[Venezuelans|Venezuelan]] professional [[baseball]] [[infielder]] who is a free agent. He has previously played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) with the [[Milwaukee Brewers]], [[Kansas City Royals]], and [[Washington Nationals]], and in [[Nippon Professional Baseball]] (NPB) for the [[Tokyo Yakult Swallows]].

== Early and personal life ==
Escobar was born in [[La Sabana, Venezuela]]. Escobar is cousin to pitchers [[Edwin Escobar]] and [[Kelvim Escobar]], infielders [[Maikel García]] and [[Luisangel Acuña]] and outfielder [[Ronald Acuña Jr.]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Perkins  |first=Jared  |date=2022-06-30 |title=Six under-the-radar Royals prospects, Part 1: Maikel Garcia |url=https://royalsfarmreport.com/2022/06/30/six-under-the-radar-royals-prospects-part-1-maikel-garcia/ |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=Royals Farm Report |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-17 |title=Baseball is a family affair for Braves phenom Ronald Acuña Jr. |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/for-ronald-acuna-jr-baseball-is-a-family-affair-130007865.html?origin=serp_auto |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}}</ref> He is also the nephew of shortstop [[José Escobar (baseball)|José Escobar]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Alcides Escobar Historical Stats|url=http://www.pelotabinaria.com.ve/beisbol/mostrar.php?ID=escoalc001|language=es|publisher=pelotabinaria.com.ve|access-date=December 9, 2020}}</ref><ref name=stats /> Escobar began playing baseball when he was four years old, stating how he idolized fellow Venezuelan shortstop [[Omar Vizquel]].<ref name=Kepner >{{cite news|title=How a Disgruntled Ace Gave the Royals a Full House|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/12/sports/baseball/how-a-disgruntled-ace-gave-the-royals-a-full-house-.html|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|author=Kepner, Tyler|access-date=December 7, 2020|date=October 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207230101/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/12/sports/baseball/how-a-disgruntled-ace-gave-the-royals-a-full-house-.html|archive-date=December 7, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Baseball career ==
=== Milwaukee Brewers ===
On July 9, 2003 (at age 16), Escobar signed with the [[Milwaukee Brewers]] as an international free agent for $35,000.<ref name=Kepner /> Escobar made his professional debut in 2004 with the rookie-level [[Helena Brewers]]. In 2005, he played for the Single-A [[West Virginia Power]], batting .271/.305/.362 with 2 home runs and 36 RBI. The following season, Escobar slashed .257/.296/.306 in 87 games for the High-A [[Brevard County Manatees]]. In 2007, he split time between Single-A and Double-A, playing 63 games for Brevard County in the [[High-A|Class A-Advanced]] [[Florida State League]] and 62 games for the [[Class AA|Double-A]] [[Huntsville Stars]] of the [[Southern League (1964–2020)|Southern League]]. He [[Batting average (baseball)|batted]] a combined .306 with one [[home run]] and 53 [[runs batted in]].<ref name=minor_stats>{{cite web|title=Alcides Escobar Minor League Statistics|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=escoba001alc|work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|access-date=December 9, 2020}}</ref>

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 (baseball)|hit]] in his first [[at bat]] in the same game, a [[Single (baseball)|single]] against pitcher [[Scott Schoeneweis]] of the [[New York Mets]].<ref name=stats>{{cite web|title=Alcides Escobar Statistics|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/escobal02.shtml|work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|access-date=December 9, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=New York Mets at Milwaukee Brewers Box Score, September 3, 2008|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIL/MIL200809030.shtml|access-date=December 9, 2020|work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209173758/https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIL/MIL200809030.shtml|archive-date=December 9, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Alcides Escobar on August 14, 2009.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Escobar with the [[Milwaukee Brewers]] in 2009]]

Before the 2009 season, ''[[Baseball America]]'' rated Escobar the 19th best prospect in baseball.<ref>{{cite web|title=2009 Baseball America Prospect Rankings|url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/prospects/years/byYear.asp?Y=2009&Src=ba|work=[[Baseball America]]|access-date=December 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208184029/http://www.thebaseballcube.com/prospects/years/byYear.asp?Y=2009&Src=ba|archive-date=December 8, 2020}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=2009 All-Star Futures Box Score|url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/world-futures-vs-us-futures/2009/07/12/258935#game_state=final,game_tab=box,game=258935|work=[[MLB.com]]|access-date=December 8, 2020}}</ref> On August 12, Escobar was called up to the Brewers from the [[Triple-A (baseball)|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 [[Stolen base|stole]] second base, his first stolen base of his career.<ref>{{cite web|title=BABIP and Service Time End J.J. Hardy's season|url=https://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2009/8/14/988544/babip-and-service-time-end-j-j|publisher=SB Nation|author=SFiercex4|date=August 14, 2009|access-date=December 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209181007/https://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2009/8/14/988544/babip-and-service-time-end-j-j|archive-date=December 9, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=San Diego Padres at Milwaukee Brewers Box Score, August 12, 2009|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIL/MIL200908120.shtml|work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|access-date=December 8, 2020}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kansas City Royals: Alcides Escobar has Star Potential at Shortstop|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/605173-kansas-city-royals-alcedes-escobar-has-star-potential-at-shortstop|work=Bleacher Report|last=Robbins|first=Bill|date=February 11, 2011|access-date=December 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208000743/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/605173-kansas-city-royals-alcedes-escobar-has-star-potential-at-shortstop|archive-date=December 8, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Kansas City Royals ===
[[File:Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar.jpg|thumb|right|Escobar with the [[Kansas City Royals]] in 2011]]

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]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Zack Greinke traded to Brewers|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=5935586|work=ESPN|date=December 19, 2010|access-date=December 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207203615/https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=5935586|archive-date=December 7, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2011 he batted .254/.290/.343 with 4 home runs and 46 RBI in 158 games.<ref name=stats />

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 to 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kansascity.com/2012/03/15/3492720/escobar-agrees-to-four-year-extension.html |title=Escobar agrees to 4-year extension with Royals for guaranteed $10.5M |work=Kansas City Star |first=Bob |last=Dutton |date=March 15, 2012}}</ref> The extension covered his final pre-arbitration season and his three arbitration-eligible seasons. The club options covered his first year of free agency.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mlbdailydish.com/2012/3/15/2874216/kansas-city-royals-sign-shortstop-alcides-escobar-to-four-year |title=Kansas City Royals Sign Shortstop Alcides Escobar to Four-Year Contract |work=MLB Daily Dish |first=Max |last=Abrams |date=March 15, 2012}}</ref>

In 2013, Escobar batted .234/.259/.300, and his .259 on base percentage was the lowest of all qualified MLB batters.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/batting/_/year/2013/minage/26/sort/onBasePct/order/false| title = 2013 Regular Season MLB Baseball Batting Statistics and League Leaders - Major League Baseball - ESPN<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref> His .300 slugging percentage was also the lowest among all qualified batters in MLB.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/batting/_/year/2013/minage/26/sort/slugAvg/order/false| title = 2013 Regular Season MLB Baseball Batting Statistics and League Leaders - Major League Baseball - ESPN<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref> In 2014, Escobar (along with [[Evan Longoria]], [[Hunter Pence]] and [[Freddie Freeman]]) was one of the only players in the MLB to start in all 162 regular season games for their respective teams.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2014-09-30/2014-mlb-stats-clayton-kershaw-brett-gardner-yankees-jason-giambi-derek-jeter |title=Stats incredible! Numbers from the 2014 MLB season will amaze you |publisher=sportingnews.com |access-date=July 11, 2015 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924122637/http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2014-09-30/2014-mlb-stats-clayton-kershaw-brett-gardner-yankees-jason-giambi-derek-jeter |url-status=dead }}</ref> He finished the season hitting .285, with 74 runs scored, 50 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/8344/| title = Yahoo Sports}}</ref>

In 2015, Escobar batted .257/.293/.320. He led the majors in with 11 [[sacrifice hit]]s.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=0&season=2015&month=0&season1=2015&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=18,d| title = Major League Leaderboards » 2015 » Batters » Standard Statistics {{!}} FanGraphs Baseball<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref> His .320 [[slugging percentage]] was the lowest of all qualified major league batters.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2015&month=0&season1=2015&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=15,a| title = Major League Leaderboards » 2015 » Batters » Dashboard {{!}} FanGraphs Baseball<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref> He also had the lowest [[Isolated power|ISO]] (isolated power) of all MLB players in 2015, at .064.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2015&month=0&season1=2015&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=11,a| title = Major League Leaderboards » 2015 » Batters » Dashboard {{!}} FanGraphs Baseball<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref>

During the [[2015 American League Championship Series|2015 ALCS]], Escobar set a postseason record by getting a lead-off hit in four consecutive games. He was selected as the [[League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award|2015 ALCS MVP]] as he batted .478 in the series.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 24, 2015 |title=Alcides Escobar of Kansas City Royals wins ALCS MVP after clutch series |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/playoffs2015/story/_/id/13958009/alcides-escobar-kansas-city-royals-wins-alcs-mvp-clutch-series |access-date=October 24, 2015 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> In Game 1 of the [[2015 World Series]], Escobar hit an [[inside-the-park home run]] on the first pitch thrown by [[New York Mets]] pitcher [[Matt Harvey]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = WATCH: Alcides Escobar Scores Inside-the-Park Home Run|url = http://heavy.com/sports/2015/10/watch-alcides-escobar-scores-inside-the-park-home-run/|website = Heavy.com|date = October 28, 2015|access-date = October 28, 2015}}</ref>  It was the first time a player had hit an inside-the-park home run in a World Series game since 1929. Escobar followed that with driving in two runs, and scoring once on two hits in Game 2.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/gametracker/boxscore/MLB_20151028_NYM@KC| title = CBS Sports}}</ref>  In Game 5, Escobar hit a double in the 12th inning, allowing [[Christian Colón|Christian Colon]] to score and 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Alcides Escobar|url = https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/29229/alcides-escobar|website = ESPN.com|access-date = November 2, 2015}}</ref> He received the 2015 AL [[Rawlings (company)|Rawlings]] [[Gold Glove Award]] for shortstops.<ref>{{cite web |last=Miller |first=Doug |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/gold-glove-winners-announced/c-156972846 |title=Defensive standouts nab Gold Glove Awards |work=MLB.com |date=November 10, 2015 |access-date=November 10, 2015 |archive-date=November 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151112190850/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/156972846/gold-glove-winners-announced |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2016, he batted .261/.292/.350. He again led the majors in sacrifice hits, with 10.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=0&season=2016&month=0&season1=2016&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=18,d| title = Major League Leaderboards » 2016 » Batters » Standard Statistics {{!}} FanGraphs Baseball<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref> On June 3, Escobar got his 1000th career Major League hit against [[Cleveland Indians]] pitcher [[Danny Salazar]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/alcides-escobar-notches-1000th-career-hit/c-181950134|title = Esky, Royals proud of his 1,000th career hit| website=[[MLB.com]] }}</ref> On October 10, 2016, the Royals exercised Escobar's 2017 option. The Royals paid him $6.5 million in 2017.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}} He batted .250/.272/.357 in 599 at bats, and shared the major league lead with 7 sacrifice hits.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=0&season=2017&month=0&season1=2017&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=18,d| title = Major League Leaderboards » 2017 » Batters » Standard Statistics {{!}} FanGraphs Baseball<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref>  His .272 on base percentage was the lowest, and his .357 slugging percentage was the third-lowest, among all qualified batters in MLB.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/batting/_/year/2017/minage/26/sort/slugAvg/order/false| title = 2017 Regular Season MLB Baseball Batting Statistics and League Leaders - Major League Baseball - ESPN<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref> He stole four bases, but was caught seven times.<ref name=stats />

On January 29, 2018, Escobar re-signed with the Royals with a one-year, $2.5 million deal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/01/royals-resign-alcides-escobar.html |title= Royals Re-Sign Alcides Escobar|work=MLB Trade Rumors|first=Steve|last=Adams|date=January 29, 2018 |access-date= January 30, 2018}}</ref> In 2018, he batted .231 (a career low)/.279/.313.<ref name=stats /> His .313 slugging percentage was the second-lowest among all qualified batters in MLB.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/batting/_/minage/26/sort/slugAvg/order/false| title = 2018 Regular Season MLB Baseball Batting Statistics and League Leaders - Major League Baseball - ESPN<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref>

On February 16, 2019, Escobar signed a minor-league contract with the [[Baltimore Orioles]] which included an invitation to [[spring training]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-orioles-sign-alcides-escobar-20190216-story.html|title=Orioles sign Alcides Escobar|last=Schmuck|first=Peter|work=baltimoresun.com|date=February 6, 2019|access-date=July 9, 2020}}</ref> On March 20, 2019, Escobar was granted his outright release from the Orioles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/03/orioles-release-alcides-escobar.html|title=Orioles release Alcides Escobar|last=Adams|first=Steve|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=March 20, 2019|access-date=July 9, 2020}}</ref>

=== Chicago White Sox ===
On March 22, 2019, Escobar signed a minor league deal with the [[Chicago White Sox]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/03/white-sox-sign-alcides-escobar.html|title=White Sox Sign Alcides Escobar|last=Adams|first=Steve|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=March 22, 2019|access-date=March 22, 2019}}</ref> He was assigned to the Triple-A [[Charlotte Knights]] to begin the year. After hitting .286/.343/.444 with 10 home runs and 70 RBI, Escobar was released by the organization on August 2.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/08/white-sox-release-alcides-escobar.html|title=White Sox Release Alcides Escobar|last=Todd|first=Jeff|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=August 2, 2019|access-date=August 2, 2019}}</ref>

=== Tokyo Yakult Swallows ===
On October 30, 2019, Escobar signed with the [[Tokyo Yakult Swallows]] of [[Nippon Professional Baseball]] (NPB).<ref>{{ cite web | url=https://www.yakult-swallows.co.jp/news/detail/24085 | title=新外国人選手獲得のお知らせ | work=東京ヤクルトスワローズ公式サイト Tokyo Yakult Swallows | language=ja | date=October 30, 2020 | access-date=August 31, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/10/alcides-escobar-to-join-npbs-yakult-swallows.html|title=Alcides Escobar to join NPB's Yakult Swallows|last=Franco|first=Anthony|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=October 30, 2019|access-date=July 9, 2020}}</ref> On January 31, 2020, he held a press conference with [[Gabriel Ynoa]] and [[Matt Koch]].<ref>{{ cite web | url=https://www.yakult-swallows.co.jp/news/detail/24277 | title=新外国人3選手が入団会見！ | work=東京ヤクルトスワローズ公式サイト Tokyo Yakult Swallows | language=ja | date=January 31, 2020 | access-date=August 24, 2020 }}</ref>

On June 19, he made his NPB debut. On July 15, Escobar hit his first career NPB home run off [[Hanshin Tigers]] pitcher [[Onelki García]].<ref>{{ cite web | url=https://baseballking.jp/ns/237636 | title=ヤクルト・エスコバーが来日初本塁打！ 降雨中断明け直後に甲子園の左中間席へ | work=Baseball King | language=ja | date=July 15, 2020 | access-date=August 31, 2020 }}</ref> In 104 games with Yakult, Escobar slashed .273/.312/.329 with 1 home run and 30 RBI. On November 23, 2020, he became a free agent.<ref>{{ cite web | url=http://npb.jp/announcement/2020/pn_released.html | title=2020年度 自由契約選手 | work=NPB.jp 日本野球機構 | language=ja | access-date=January 8, 2021 }}</ref>

===Kansas City Royals (second stint)===
On May 4, 2021, Escobar signed a minor league contract with the [[Kansas City Royals]] organization and was assigned to the Triple-A [[Omaha Storm Chasers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1389612109626028038|title=Royals Sign Alcides Escobar|date=May 4, 2021|access-date=May 4, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/05/royals-sign-alcides-escobar.html|title = Royals Sign Alcides Escobar| date=May 4, 2021 }}</ref> In 35 games with Omaha, Escobar posted a .274/.311/.452 slash with 5 home runs and 16 RBI.

===Washington Nationals===
[[File:Alcides Escober 2022 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Escobar with the Nationals in 2022]]

On July 2, 2021, Escobar was traded to the [[Washington Nationals]] in exchange for cash considerations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/07/nationals-on-the-verge-of-acquiring-alcides-escobar-from-royals.html|title = Nationals Close to Acquiring Alcides Escobar from Royals |website=MLB Trade Rumors|date = July 2, 2021 }}</ref> He was selected to the active roster on July 3.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/07/orioles-claim-shaun-anderson-from-rangers-designate-konner-wade-for-assignment.html|title = Orioles Claim Shaun Anderson off Waivers from Rangers, Designate Konner Wade for Assignment |website=MLB Trade Rumors|date = July 3, 2021 }}</ref> On July 18, Escobar hit his first major-league home run since the 2018 season against the [[San Diego Padres]] to pull the Nationals within one run in the eighth inning, and hit a walk-off single in the ninth to lead them to an 8–7 victory.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.federalbaseball.com/2021/7/18/22581480/washington-nationals-walk-off-san-diego-padres-on-alcides-escobar-single-in-9th-8-7|title = Washington Nationals walk off on San Diego Padres on Alcides Escobar single in 9th, 8-7|website=Federal Baseball |date = July 18, 2021}}</ref> 

Escobar finished out the [[2021 Washington Nationals season|2021 season]] with the Nationals batting .288/.340/.404, his best totals since 2012. He then signed a one-year contract extension through the [[2022 Washington Nationals season|2022 season]] on October 5, 2021.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/10/nationals-re-sign-alcides-escobar.html|agency=MLB Trade Rumors|first=Steve|last=Adams|date=October 5, 2021|access-date=October 5, 2021|title=Nationals Re-Sign Alcides Escobar}}</ref> In 2021, he had the lowest average [[exit velocity]] of all major league batters, at 81.7&nbsp;mph.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/statcast?type=batter&year=2021&position=&team=&min=150&sort=6&sortDir=desc|title = Statcast Leaderboard {{!}} baseballsavant.com |website=Baseball Savant}}</ref>

Escobar made his pitching debut against the [[Philadelphia Phillies]], tossing a scoreless inning in the bottom of the 8th on July 5, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/video/alcides-escobar-s-pitching-debut |title=Alcides Escobar's pitching debut - 07/05/2022 |website=[[MLB.com]] |date=July 5, 2022 |access-date=July 7, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.federalbaseball.com/2022/7/5/23195648/washington-nationals-lose-11-0-opener-to-the-philadelphia-phillies-in-citizens-bank-park |title=Washington Nationals lose 11-0 opener to the Philadelphia Phillies in Citizens Bank Park |website=Federal Baseball |date=July 5, 2022 |access-date=July 7, 2022}}</ref>

On August 3, 2022, Escobar was placed on unconditional release waivers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/08/nationals-release-alcides-escobar.html |title= Nationals Release Alcides Escobar|work=MLB Trade Rumors|first=Anthony|last=Franco|date=August 3, 2022 |access-date= August 3, 2022}}</ref> He had appeared in 40 games for Washington, slashing .218/.260/.282 with no home runs and 8 RBI.

===Leones de Yucatán===
On March 1, 2023, Escobar signed with the [[Leones de Yucatán]] of the [[Mexican League]].<ref name="f144">{{cite web | title=Leones: Alcides Escobar jugará con los campeones | website=MiLB.com | date=1 March 2023 | url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/leones-alcides-escobar-jugara-con-los-campeones | access-date=2024-10-10}}</ref> In 55 games, he batted .240/.296/.299 with 1 home run and 17 RBIs. Escobar was waived on July 3.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-3-de-julio-de-2023|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 3 de julio de 2023|website=MiLB.com|language=ES|date=July 3, 2023|access-date=July 4, 2023}}</ref>

===Acereros de Monclova===
On July 9, 2023, Escobar signed with the [[Acereros de Monclova]] of the [[Mexican League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.acereros.com.mx/noticia/alcides-escobar-reforzara-el-infield-acerero|title=ALCIDES ESCOBAR REFORZARÁ EL INFIELD ACERERO.|website=acereros.com.mx|language=Spanish|date=July 9, 2023|accessdate=July 11, 2023}}</ref> In 26 games for Monclova, he batted .330/.368/.523 with 5 home runs and 17 RBI.<ref>{{Cite web|title=LMB: Categoría de ligamayoristas en México|url=https://www.milb.com/news/lmb-categoria-de-ligamayoristas-en-mexico|access-date=March 2, 2024|website=milb.com|language=en}}</ref>

===Tigres de Quintana Roo===
On February 15, 2024, Escobar signed with the [[Tigres de Quintana Roo]] of the [[Mexican League]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alcides Escobar, el refuerzo estelar de los Tigres de Quintana Roo para la Temporada 2024 de la LMB|url=https://www.poresto.net/deportes/2024/2/15/alcides-escobar-el-refuerzo-estelar-de-los-tigres-de-quintana-roo-para-la-temporada-2024-de-la-lmb-422679.html|access-date=March 20, 2024|website=poresto.net|language=en}}</ref> In 77 games for the Tigres, he batted .271/.320/.387 with five home runs, 32 RBI, and four stolen bases. Escobar was released by Quintana Roo on December 9.<ref>{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 9 de diciembre de 2024|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-9-de-diciembre-de-2024|access-date=December 11, 2024|website=milb.com|language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of players from Venezuela in Major League Baseball]]

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
*{{commons category-inline}}
{{Baseballstats |mlb=444876 |espn=29229 |br=e/escobal02 |fangraphs=6310 |brm=escoba001alc |retro=E/Pescoa003}}
* {{instagram|alcidesescobar2|ALCIDES ESCOBAR 2}}

{{2015 Kansas City Royals}}
{{ALCS MVP}}
{{AL SS Gold Glove Award}}
{{Venezuela roster 2017 World Baseball Classic}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Escobar, Alcides}}
[[Category:1986 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American League All-Stars]]
[[Category:American League Championship Series MVPs]]
[[Category:Brevard County Manatees players]]
[[Category:Cardenales de Lara players]]
[[Category:Charlotte Knights players]]
[[Category:Escobar family|Alcides]]
[[Category:Helena Brewers players]]
[[Category:Huntsville Stars players]]
[[Category:Kansas City Royals players]]
[[Category:Leones de Yucatán players]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball players from Venezuela]]
[[Category:21st-century Venezuelan sportsmen]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball shortstops]]
[[Category:Milwaukee Brewers players]]
[[Category:Nashville Sounds players]]
[[Category:Nippon Professional Baseball shortstops]]
[[Category:Peoria Javelinas players]]
[[Category:Rochester Red Wings players]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Vargas (state)]]
[[Category:Tigres de Quintana Roo players]]
[[Category:Tokyo Yakult Swallows players]]
[[Category:Venezuelan expatriate baseball players in Japan]]
[[Category:Venezuelan expatriate baseball players in Mexico]]
[[Category:Venezuelan expatriate baseball players in the United States]]
[[Category:Washington Nationals players]]
[[Category:West Virginia Power players]]
[[Category:World Baseball Classic players of Venezuela]]
[[Category:2017 World Baseball Classic players]]