Alex Escobar

Alexander José "Alex" Escobar (ess-coe-BAR) (born September 6, 1978 in Valencia, Carabobo State, Venezuela) is a Major League Baseball center fielder/right fielder and right-handed batter who plays with the Chicago White Sox. Previously, he played for the New York Mets (2001) and Cleveland Indians (2003-04). Released by Cleveland on August 12, 2004 he signed with the White Sox.

Escobar was signed by the Mets as a non-draft amateur free agent in 1995 and made his debut in 2001. At the end of the season, he was traded to the Indians as part of the eight-player trade that sent Roberto Alomar to the Mets. He missed the entire 2002 season after tearing his left anterior cruciate ligament during spring training. In 2003, he recovered from a slow start at Triple-A Buffalo Bisons collecting 24 home runs and 78 runs batted in, and looked strong for the Tribe in September and played in 28 games.

In the minors, Escobar was an All-Star in the 'AAA' International, 'AA' Eastern and 'AA' South Atlantic leagues, and he also was selected by Baseball America in the 1998 All-Stars team. Escobar has the all-star tools he needs. He can hit for average and is a potential slugger. Also, he has both speed and pure base running skills. In the outfield, he has an excellent range and a cannon for an arm. His only real flaw is his tendency to strikeout with great frequency (52-in-152 at-bat).

In two season with the Mets and Indians, Escobar batted .248 (37-for-149) with 8 home runs, 22 RBI, 19 runs, 3 doubles and 2 stolen bases in 46 games.