Edwin Escobar

{{about|the Venezuelan professional baseball|the Guatemalan politician|Edwin Escobar Hill}}

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Edwin Escobar

| image = エスコバー62.jpg

| width =

| caption = Escobar with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars

| team = Leones de Yucatán

| number = 47

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|4|22}}

| birth_place = La Sabana, Venezuela

| bats = Left

| throws = Left

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = August 27

| debutyear = 2014

| debutteam = Boston Red Sox

| debut2league= NPB

| debut2date = April 2

| debut2year = 2017

| debut2team = Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters

| statleague = MLB

| statyear = 2016 season

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 1–2

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 7.01

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 19

| stat2year = 2023 season

| stat2league = NPB

| stat21label = Win–loss record

| stat21value = 22–23

| stat22label = Earned run average

| stat22value = 3.17

| stat23label = Strikeouts

| stat23value = 383

| stat24label = Saves

| stat24value = 5

| stat25label = Holds

| stat25value = 147

| teams =

Boston Red Sox ({{mlby|2014}})
Arizona Diamondbacks ({{mlby|2016}})
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters ({{npby|2017}})
Yokohama DeNA BayStars ({{npby|2017}}–{{npby|2023}})

}}

Edwin José Escobar (born April 22, 1992) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and Yokohama DeNA BayStars.

Career

=Texas Rangers=

The Texas Rangers signed Escobar as an international free agent in 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.csnbayarea.com/giants/giants-never-lost-sight-top-prospect-escobar|title=Giants never lost sight of top prospect Escobar|work=CSN Bay Area|access-date=April 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630132405/http://www.csnbayarea.com/giants/giants-never-lost-sight-top-prospect-escobar|archive-date=June 30, 2016|url-status=dead}} He made his professional debut with the rookie-level Arizona League Rangers in 2009, logging a 2–5 record and 5.00 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 13 games.

=San Francisco Giants=

On April 1, 2010, Escobar was traded to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for minor leaguer Ben Snyder.{{cite web|url=http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20100401&content_id=9048312&vkey=pr_sf&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf|title=Giants trade LHP Ben Snyder to Texas for LHP Edwin Escobar|work=San Francisco Giants|access-date=April 20, 2016|archive-date=April 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428122418/http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20100401&content_id=9048312&vkey=pr_sf&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf|url-status=dead}} He spent the season with the Low-A Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, pitching to a 2–4 record, a 4.86 ERA, and 69 strikeouts in 14 games. The next year, Escobar split the season between the rookie-level Arizona League Giants and the Single-A Augusta GreenJackets, accumulating a 3–7 record and 6.58 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 52 innings of work. In 2012, he returned to Augusta, pitching to a 7–8 record and 2.96 ERA with 122 strikeouts in {{fraction|130|2|3}} innings pitched.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=escoba001edw|title = Edwin Escobar Minor, Winter & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History}}

The Giants added Escobar to their 40-man roster after the 2012 season, in order to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121120&content_id=40386322&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |title=Giants put pitcher Chris Heston, four others on 40-man roster | MLB.com: News |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |access-date=December 1, 2013}} He split the 2013 season between the High-A San Jose Giants and the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels, posting a 8–8 record and 2.80 ERA with 146 strikeouts in 26 games (24 starts) split between the two affiliates. He began the 2014 season with the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies, and logged a 3–8 record and 5.11 ERA with 96 strikeouts in 20 games.{{Cite web |url=http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/04/20/3887259/top-pitcher-shows-skills-for-grizzlies.html |title=Fresno Grizzlies' prized pitcher Edwin Escobar flashes skills |access-date=May 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513142119/http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/04/20/3887259/top-pitcher-shows-skills-for-grizzlies.html |archive-date=May 13, 2014 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Good-day-for-Giants-prospects-Edwin-Escobar-Gary-5279011.php|title=Good day for Giants prospects Edwin Escobar, Gary Brown|author=Bruce Jenkins|date=March 1, 2014|work=SFGate|access-date=April 20, 2016}}

=Boston Red Sox=

The Giants traded Escobar and Heath Hembree to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Jake Peavy on July 26, 2014.{{cite news|url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/26/report-jake-peavy-close-to-being-traded-to-national-league-team/|title=Report: Giants to acquire Jake Peavy from Red Sox | publisher=NBC Sports | date=July 26, 2014}} He was called up to the Red Sox on August 10,{{Cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2014/08/red_sox_call_up_lefty_edwin_escobar.html|title=Red Sox Call Up Lefty Edwin Escobar|publisher=Boston Globe|date=August 10, 2014}} and returned to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox the next day. Escobar was recalled on August 27,{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140827&content_id=91708220¬ebook_id=91762918&vkey=notebook_bos&c_id=bos |title=With bullpen taxed, Escobar earns promotion |first=Jamie |last=Ross |date=August 27, 2014 |access-date=August 27, 2014 |work=MLB.com}} and pitched a scoreless 8th inning in his Major League debut in Toronto against the Toronto Blue Jays. He finished his rookie season with a 4.50 ERA and 2 strikeouts in 2 appearances. In 2015, Escobar spent the majority of the season in Triple-A Pawtucket, also playing in 1 game for the Single-A Greenville Drive, and pitched to a 3–3 record and 4.97 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 20 games. He was assigned to Pawtucket to begin the 2016 season. Escobar was designated for assignment on April 20, 2016, to make room on the active roster for William Cuevas.[https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-173440446 MiLB.com]

=Arizona Diamondbacks=

On April 29, 2016, Escobar was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks and optioned to the Triple-A Reno Aces.{{cite web|title=D-backs claim Edwin Escobar from Boston; designate Matt Buschmann for assignment|url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/d-backs-claim-edwin-escobar-from-boston-designate-matt-buschmann-for-a-175275322|website=MLB.com|access-date=29 April 2016}} The Diamondbacks promoted Escobar to the major leagues to make his first major league start on May 30.{{Cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2016/05/30/diamondbacks-edwin-escobar-see-positives-debut-loss/85175796/|title = Diamondbacks, Edwin Escobar see positives in debut loss}} In 25 games for Arizona, Escobar recorded a 7.23 ERA with 17 strikeouts in {{fraction|23|2|3}} innings pitched.

=Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters=

On November 18, 2016, the Cleveland Indians claimed Escobar off waivers. Escobar was designated for assignment on January 5, 2017, to make room on the 40-man roster for Edwin Encarnación.{{cite web |title=Indians sign free agent Edwin Encarnación to a three-year contract |url=http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/212729276/indians-introduce-edwin-encarnacion/ |access-date=January 10, 2017 |first=Jordan |last=Bastian |work=mlb.com |date=January 5, 2017 |archive-date=January 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105173832/http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/212729276/indians-introduce-edwin-encarnacion/ |url-status=dead }} He was released on January 10, to pursue a pitching opportunity in Japan.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/01/indians-release-edwin-escobar-to-pursue-opportunity-in-japan.html|title=Indians Release Edwin Escobar To Pursue Opportunity In Japan|last=Todd|first=Jeff|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=January 10, 2017|access-date=January 10, 2017}}

On January 11, 2017, Escobar signed a one-year, $775,000 with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball.{{cite web|url=http://yakyudb.com/2017/01/11/1112017-nippon-ham-fighters-reach-agreement-with-edwin-escobar/|title=[1/11/2017] Nippon Ham Fighters reach agreement with Edwin Escobar|work=yakyudb.com|date=January 11, 2017|access-date=January 12, 2017|archive-date=January 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113140706/http://yakyudb.com/2017/01/11/1112017-nippon-ham-fighters-reach-agreement-with-edwin-escobar/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2017/01/11/baseball/japanese-baseball/fighters-acquire-lefty-escobar/|title=Fighters acquire lefty Escobar|work=japantimes.co.jp|date=January 11, 2017|access-date=January 12, 2017}} In 14 games for the Fighters, Escobar registered a 1-2 record and 5.64 ERA with 19 strikeouts in {{fraction|22|1|3}} innings of work.

=Yokohama DeNA BayStars=

On July 7, 2017, Escobar was traded to the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in exchange for catcher Toshiki Kurobane. The BayStars re-signed him in the offseason to a one-year deal worth roughly $500,000.{{cite web

| title = Yokohama Bay Stars sign Edwin Escobar

| url = https://yakyudb.com/2017/11/18/11172017-yokohama-bay-stars-sign-edwin-escobar/

| website = yakyudb.com

| date = November 16, 2017

| access-date = October 6, 2020

| archive-date = October 8, 2020

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201008184135/https://yakyudb.com/2017/11/18/11172017-yokohama-bay-stars-sign-edwin-escobar/

| url-status = dead

}} He finished the 2017 season with a 3.44 ERA and 33 strikeoutsin 27 games for the BayStars. In 2018, Escobar pitched in 53 games for the team, posting a 4–3 record and 3.57 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 53 innings pitched.

Escobar agreed to another one-year contract with the BayStars for the 2019 season worth roughly $854,000. That season, Escobar pitched to a 5–4 record and 2.51 ERA with 88 strikeouts in 74 appearances. On November 18, 2019, Escobar signed an additional one-year extension, worth roughly $1.5 million, to remain with the BayStars.{{ cite web | url=https://www.baystars.co.jp/news/2019/11/1118_04.php | title=2020年度 E.エスコバー選手契約について | work=横浜DeNAベイスターズ公式サイト | language=ja | date=November 18, 2019 | access-date=December 8, 2019 }} In 2020, Escobar logged a 1-4 record and 2.33 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 54 innings pitched across 56 games.

On November 7, 2023, following the regular season, the BayStars announced that Escobar was no longer under contract with the team and that they would begin negotiations regarding a new contract. In 7 seasons in NPB, he had registered a 22-23 record and 3.17 ERA with 383 strikeouts across {{fraction|392|1|3}} innings pitched.{{Cite web|title=[DeNA] Escobar's free contract will continue negotiations to remain Ambagi will be decided to leave|url=https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/ce7ee7b56deca3033943bc466aa993b1a45910fb|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114213216/https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/ce7ee7b56deca3033943bc466aa993b1a45910fb|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 14, 2023|access-date=November 14, 2023|website=news.yahoo.co.jp|language=en}}

=Chicago Cubs=

On November 20, 2023, Escobar signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs.{{cite web | url=https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-free-agency/cubs-reportedly-sign-free-agent-pitcher-edwin-escobar/520284/ | title=Cubs reportedly sign free agent pitcher Edwin Escobar | date=November 21, 2023 }} In 31 appearances for the Triple–A Iowa Cubs, he recorded a 4.86 ERA with 47 strikeouts across {{fraction|46|1|3}} innings pitched. Escobar was released by the Cubs organization on July 16, 2024.{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/transactions/2024-07-16 | title=Transactions }}

=Sultanes de Monterrey=

On July 22, 2024, Escobar signed with the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 22 de julio de 2024|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-22-de-julio-de-2024|access-date=July 24, 2024|website=Minor League Baseball|language=en}} In 4 games for Monterrey, he struggled to a 6.75 ERA with 5 strikeouts over 4 innings of work. Escobar was released by the Sultanes on March 3, 2025.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 3 de marzo de 2025|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-3-de-marzo-de-2025|access-date=March 4, 2025|website=milb.com|language=en}}

=Leones de Yucatán=

On May 16, 2025, Escobar signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 16 de mayo de 2025|url=https://lmb.com.mx/noticias/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-16-de-mayo-de-2025|access-date=May 18, 2025|website=lmb.com.mx|language=es}}

Personal life

Escobar is son of shortstop José Escobar, as well as cousin of outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr., infielders Luisangel Acuña and Alcides Escobar, and pitchers Kelvim Escobar and Vicente Campos.[http://www.pelotabinaria.com.ve/beisbol/mostrar.php?ID=escoedw001 Pelota Binaria website]{{Cite web |date=2019-08-17 |title=Baseball is a family affair for Braves phenom Ronald Acuña Jr. |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/for-ronald-acuna-jr-baseball-is-a-family-affair-130007865.html?origin=serp_auto |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}}