Eduardo Escobar becomes 9th D-back in history to reach 100 RBIs
Aug 20, 2019, 9:15 PM | Updated: Aug 21, 2019, 11:14 am
Eduardo Escobar #5 of the Arizona Diamondbacks rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run off of Tony Watson #56 of the San Francisco Giants during the eighth inning at Chase Field on August 16, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Eduardo Escobar arrived in Arizona being known as one of baseball’s most underrated players and as Paul Goldschmidt can attest to, that trend has continued with the Diamondbacks.
With a two-RBI triple in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday, Escobar reached 100 RBIs for the season.
.@escobarmaracay gets his 10th triple. Give that man his baseball! pic.twitter.com/2AnXg28dkp
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) August 21, 2019
Escobar is the ninth player in franchise history to reach triple digits in ribbies. He joins Goldschmidt (2013, ’15, ’17), Jake Lamb (’17, 105) and Adam LaRoche (’10, 100) as the fourth D-back to do it this decade. Other names to complete the feat before 2010 include Mark Reynolds (2009, 102), Steve Finley (1999, 103), Jay Bell (’99, 112), Matt Williams (’99, 142) and Luis Gonzalez (’99, 2000, ’01, ’02, ’03).
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With Escobar reaching 100 RBIs with 35 games left, he’s got even more serious territory to reach. Only Goldschmidt (120 in 2017, 125 in 2013), Williams (142 in 1999) and Gonzalez (142 in 2001) have reached 120-plus RBIs in a season.
Escobar is the first switch-hitter in the National League since Chase Headley’s 115 RBIs in 2012 to reach 100 and the third player in franchise history with 20-plus doubles, 20-plus homers and 10-plus triples in a season, joining Finley (1999, 2003) and Stephen Drew (2008).
The triple for Escobar is his 10th. He entered Tuesday tied with two other players for the league lead.
The 30-year-old infielder entered Tuesday’s action trailing Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman by two RBIs for the National League lead. Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers was the only American League player prior to Tuesday’s action to hit the century mark with 101 RBIs.
Escobar has been one of the few everyday players for the D-backs to stay healthy. His 118 starts prior to Tuesday placed second on the team to Nick Ahmed’s 121. Ketel Marte (115) and Christian Walker (103) are the only other position players at 100. Escobar has started 96 of his games at third, with the other 22 coming at second base. No. 119 came at third base on Tuesday night.
Despite the terrific numbers, Escobar has some lofty competition at third base for the Silver Slugger nod. Anthony Rendon leads National League third baseman in OPS at a strong 1.007, while Nolan Arenado is right behind him at .917, with 30 home runs and 94 RBI to boot. Escobar’s OPS sat at .853 prior to Tuesday, seventh among qualified National League third baseman.
