The Blue Jays head into 2024 looking to bounce back from what was a tough 2023 season, even though Toronto did make it back to the postseason. But right at the start of the spring, the Blue Jays signed former All-Star Eduardo Escobar on a Minor League deal.
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A Look at Escobar
The 2023 campaign was Eduardo Escobar‘s worst since 2016 — and it wasn’t even close.
After four straight full seasons (2018-2019, 2021-22) in which Escobar hit at least 20 or more home runs, the 35-year-old hit just six home runs and posted a .613 OPS over 309 plate appearances.
Escobar started ice-cold, as he hit just .160 (.564 OPS) over the first full month of 2023. He did rebound to hit .394 in May but his production tailed off from there. That remained true after he was traded to the Angels, as he hit just .291 (.562 OPS) in 60 games with Los Angeles.
When Escobar’s been going, the veteran infielder has been one of the game’s more underrated hitters. A switch-hitter with a good eye – but one who’s been aggressive in recent seasons — Escobar has pop and does have a tendency to pull the ball to success.
But last season, Escobar got very pull-happy, particularly on offspeed and fastballs on the outer half, and continuously topped out pitches. How problematic were things for Escobar in 2023? His Topped% rates jumped up 33.8% last year, compared to 21.0% a year earlier.
It worked in 2022, as he was able to drill balls with efficiency but not so much in 2023.
Per the Blue Jays, Eduardo Escobar signed a Minor League deal with the Blue Jays with an invite to Spring Training. Manager John Schneider envisions Escobar to get time both at second and third in the spring.
Analysis
On a Minor League deal, there’s no harm in bringing Eduardo Escobar into camp. After all, Escobar’s been a good power hitter throughout most of his career and Toronto had problems in that category last season.
Toronto does, however, have some things to work out for the infield heading into 2024.
The Jays signed infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa, a very good defensive player but below-average hitter, in December. Kiner-Falefa has more experience at third — now a hole with Matt Chapman no longer on the roster — but has the range to take on the spot at second.
Additionally, there are other names, like Cavan Biggio, Davis Schneider, Santiago Espinal, non-roster invitee Damiano Palmegiani, and Orelvis Martinez, who could factor into the equation in 2024.
The issue, though, is that none of the names mentioned above, aside from Escobar, have had extensive success at the plate. This includes Davis Schneider, who burst on the scene late but only has 141 MLB plate appearances to his name.
Escobar has a lane to crack the Jays roster. But, he’ll need a strong spring to do so.