Washington Nationals: Gamble on Alcides Escobar paying off

When the Washington Nationals acquired Alcides Escobar in July in exchange for cash from the Kansas City Royals, the franchise likely had no idea the impact he would bring and the potential for him for next year as well in the District of Columbia.

Traded to the Nationals the day after Trea Turner jammed his finger, Escobar was expected to be a side note for a struggling Washington team. After all, even in stories about his arrival, the move was dismissed as “not a significant trade.” However, when Turner was shipped off to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the trade deadline, Escobar’s role and value exploded.

Escobar suddenly went from being a stopgap to a savior at shortstop.

Here is how Alcides Escobar has shown his value at the plate for the Washington Nationals

Heading into Tuesday’s game in Denver against the Colorado Rockies, the 34-year-old Escobar had posted a hit in 12 of his last 13 games. During that stretch, he posted a .355 average (22-for-62) with five doubles, a home run, nine RBI, three walks, a stolen base, and nine runs scored. Before coming to the Mile High City, Escobar had his 10-game hitting streak snapped in the series finale against the Cincinnati Reds. It marked his second double-digit-game hitting streak since August 17.

How valuable has Escobar been for the Washington Nationals? Since coming to the team on July 3, Escobar ranks first on the team in doubles (19), second in hits (86), and second in batting average with runners in scoring position (RISP, .387).

And those numbers aren’t just good by Washington standards. Those 86 hits are sixth in the National League during that same time span, while his 19 doubles are tied for fifth and his .387 average with RISP ranks sixth.

Perhaps even more impressive has been Escobar putting up those numbers after being out of Major League Baseball since he played 140 games with the Royals in 2018. He played in 96 Triple-A games in 2019 and spent time with the Yakult Swallows last season before landing back with the Royals on a minor league deal this past May. He was batting .274 in 124 at-bats for Triple-A Omaha when he was traded to Washington.

Escobar will be a free agent at the end of the season, but will likely be pursued by Washington to return, both for his clubhouse presence and what he has shown the Nationals on the field. His 1.6 bWAR is third on the team behind Juan Soto (7.2) and Josh Bell (3.1), and he has provided a bright note in what has been a disappointing season in the nation’s capital.