Yunel Escobar
Born: 11/2/1982 in Havana, La Habana, Cuba
MLB Debut: 2007-06-02 | Final Game: 2017-08-06
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'2" | Weight: 215 lbs
Biography
Yunel Escobar, born in 1982, was a professional baseball player who graced Major League Baseball from 2007 until his retirement in 2017. Known for his versatility as a position player, Escobar played a significant role in various teams throughout his career, including the Atlanta Braves, Toronto Blue Jays, and Tampa Bay Rays. Over 1,434 games, he established himself as a reliable hitter, finishing his career with a commendable .282 batting average. Escobar recorded 1,501 hits, 90 home runs, and 519 runs batted in, showcasing his offensive capabilities and consistency at the plate.
Escobar's playing style was characterized by his strong defensive skills and ability to play multiple infield positions, particularly shortstop and third base. He was known for his quick hands and strong arm, which made him a valuable asset in the field. His career unfolded during a dynamic era of baseball marked by increased offensive production and the emergence of analytics, which influenced how players were evaluated and utilized. Escobar's contributions to the game extended beyond statistics, as he became an integral part of every team he played for, leaving a lasting impression on fans and teammates alike.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1434 | 5315 | 689 | 1501 | 258 | 12 | 90 | 519 | 34 | 509 | 686 | 0.282 | 0.350 | 0.386 | 0.736 | 2220.0 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | ATL | NL | 94 | 319 | 54 | 104 | 25 | 0 | 5 | 28 | 5 | 27 | 44 | 0.326 | 708.0 |
| 2008 | ATL | NL | 136 | 514 | 71 | 148 | 24 | 2 | 10 | 60 | 2 | 59 | 62 | 0.288 | 427.0 |
| 2009 | ATL | NL | 141 | 528 | 89 | 158 | 26 | 2 | 14 | 76 | 5 | 57 | 62 | 0.299 | 1102.3 |
| 2010 | ATL | NL | 75 | 261 | 28 | 62 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 5 | 37 | 31 | 0.238 | -578.1 |
| 2010 | TOR | AL | 60 | 236 | 32 | 65 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 16 | 1 | 19 | 26 | 0.275 | -578.1 |
| 2011 | TOR | AL | 133 | 513 | 77 | 149 | 24 | 3 | 11 | 48 | 3 | 61 | 70 | 0.290 | 1076.8 |
| 2012 | TOR | AL | 145 | 558 | 58 | 141 | 22 | 1 | 9 | 51 | 5 | 35 | 70 | 0.253 | -1239.1 |
| 2013 | TBR | AL | 153 | 508 | 61 | 130 | 27 | 1 | 9 | 56 | 4 | 57 | 73 | 0.256 | -105.4 |
| 2014 | TBR | AL | 137 | 476 | 33 | 123 | 18 | 0 | 7 | 39 | 1 | 43 | 60 | 0.258 | -336.0 |
| 2015 | WAS | NL | 139 | 535 | 75 | 168 | 25 | 1 | 9 | 56 | 2 | 45 | 70 | 0.314 | 1220.5 |
| 2016 | LAA | AL | 132 | 517 | 68 | 157 | 28 | 1 | 5 | 39 | 0 | 40 | 67 | 0.304 | 189.6 |
| 2017 | LAA | AL | 89 | 350 | 43 | 96 | 20 | 1 | 7 | 31 | 1 | 29 | 51 | 0.274 | -133.0 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 19 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0.421 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | ALWC | TBA | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.250 |
| 2013 | ALDS1 | TBA | 4 | 15 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.467 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 21 | 20 | 28 | 49 | 3 | 10 |
| 3B | 372 | 371 | 225 | 513 | 42 | 52 |
| OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SS | 1016 | 986 | 1445 | 2777 | 100 | 604 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | ATL | 2B | 21 | 20 | 28 | 49 | 3 | 10 |
| 2007 | ATL | 3B | 22 | 19 | 20 | 28 | 4 | 4 |
| 2007 | ATL | SS | 53 | 35 | 59 | 113 | 4 | 22 |
| 2008 | ATL | SS | 126 | 126 | 193 | 396 | 16 | 78 |
| 2009 | ATL | SS | 139 | 138 | 191 | 409 | 13 | 83 |
| 2010 | ATL | SS | 74 | 73 | 99 | 250 | 9 | 62 |
| 2010 | TOR | SS | 60 | 60 | 105 | 173 | 9 | 48 |
| 2011 | TOR | SS | 132 | 131 | 182 | 343 | 14 | 73 |
| 2012 | TOR | SS | 143 | 140 | 240 | 431 | 12 | 100 |
| 2013 | TBA | SS | 153 | 149 | 208 | 395 | 7 | 88 |
| 2014 | TBA | SS | 136 | 134 | 168 | 267 | 16 | 50 |
| 2014 | TBA | OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | WAS | 3B | 134 | 135 | 56 | 171 | 7 | 14 |
| 2016 | LAA | 3B | 129 | 130 | 95 | 188 | 19 | 22 |
| 2017 | LAA | 3B | 87 | 87 | 54 | 126 | 12 | 12 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 21 |
| Third Base | 372 |
| Shortstop | 1016 |
| Left Field | 1 |
| Designated Hitter | 7 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Player of the Week | Week of 2009-07-18 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | LAA | AL | $7,000,000 |
| 2015 | WAS | NL | $5,000,000 |
| 2014 | TBA | AL | $5,000,000 |
| 2013 | TBA | AL | $5,000,000 |
| 2012 | TOR | AL | $5,000,000 |
| 2011 | TOR | AL | $2,900,000 |
| 2010 | ATL | NL | $435,000 |
| 2009 | ATL | NL | $425,000 |
| 2008 | ATL | NL | $402,500 |
| Total Career Earnings | $31,162,500 | ||
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 20th | 6.0 | 448 | 0 |
| 2007 | Rookie of the Year | NL | 6th | 1.0 | 160 | 0 |