Escobar is Nazi’s latest unusual lead striker

If you’re wondering what Director Davey Martinez got completed Alcides Escobar his leading batsman in the last two nights in San Diego, why a 12-year-old veteran with a career .293 percent was the right choice to hit Citizens lineup, go back and watch the first match on Monday afternoon.

The result of Padres ’right-handed attack on Joe Musgrove was the basis for a brief, nothing special. But all that led to the unfortunate result – nine fields seen, seven of which failed – talked a lot about Escobar’s skill set.

“It was awesome, man,” Martinez said Tuesday in his Zoom session with reporters. “He threw all his pitches. It’s good that he can lengthen the way the bats are and help the guys behind him also see how many fields the pitcher is trying to make. For me, no matter the whole walk or whatever, some lead beaters do it. By disturbing the campsites, getting to the base of other friends. But most importantly, doing what he does and that is putting the ball in the game. He does it really well. “

Martinez has certainly not been averse to the use of unusual lead fields this season. Kyle Schwarber, so that no one would forget, hit only 16 home users in 18 matches Citizens’ No. 1.

But when Schwarber landed on the 10-day injured list with significant hind limb strain and Martinez had to find a replacement, he made another unusual choice with the newest member on the list.

Acquired from Royals ’Triple-A subsidiary in Omaha on Saturday to deal with sudden injuries in the Nationals Premier League and minor leagues, Escobar quickly gained its presence. He made seven hits in his first 12 strokes before going 0-4 against Tuesday in a loss.

All this from a guy who hadn’t played in the big leagues since 2018. Escobar spent 2019 at the White Sox Triple-A Club in Charlotte and then spent 2020 with Yakult Swallows of Japan. He returned to the Royals this spring and played 35 games in Omaha before desperate citizens played.

“He’s worked really hard to get back to the big leagues, and that shows,” Martinez said. “I talked to him when he came there and I said to him,‘ Hey, I know you’re a good player. I’ve seen you play before. Don’t just try to do too much. Just be yourself and have fun. ‘”

The Nationals are not the first team to give Escobar a shot while leading. Former Kansas City manager Ned Yost took plenty of heat to hit a player below .300 below his otherwise stacked lineups 131 times in 2015. Then Escobar and contact-good Royals won the World Series.

“I don’t expect him to go there for a walk,” Martinez said. “But you can see after his first hit (Monday), he’s the guy who puts the ball in the game. He’s going to break the balls off. He’s going to go up to the pitch and do the little things. Yesterday we had the perfect squeeze with him. It’s nice to have a guy there, who can handle a bat. He can hit the runners behind. He does it all very well. “

With Trea Turner after returning four days from his layoff with a blocked finger, Escobar remained in line at another base, with Josh Harrison move to the left field. This may not be the case for long. But as long as he’s present, Escobar will try to take advantage of this unexpected opportunity to return to the big leagues with the new organization.

“Very excited and happy that the team was able to give me the opportunity to be part of this team,” he said on Saturday through interpreter Octavio Martinez. “And do everything you can to help them win and to let everything out of me, to be able to do it and to help them win in every way possible.”