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)

BY KELLAN OLSON

Suns reporter, ArizonaSports.com editor

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).

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.

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Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Alex Young throws to a Colorado Rockies batter during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Colorado Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland throws to an Arizona Diamondbacks batter during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Colorado Rockies' Nolan Arenado bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning during a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Nick Ahmed celebrates with David Peralta and Torey Lovullo (17) after hitting a solo home run against the Colorado Rockies during the third inning during a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Nick Ahmed runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Colorado Rockies during the third inning during a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Colorado Rockies' Trevor Story hits a single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning during a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story makes the off-balance throw for an out on a ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' Alex Young during the third inning during a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Colorado Rockies' Nolan Arenado watches his two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning during a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Nick Ahmed watches his RBI sacrifice fly against the Colorado Rockies during the fourth inning during a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Adam Jones watches his RBI single against the Colorado Rockies during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Colorado Rockies left fielder Raimel Tapia makes a running catch for the out on a ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' Christian Walker during the fifth inning during a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado tries to field a ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' Adam Jones during the sixth inning during a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Phoenix. Jones reached on an error by Arenado. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Colorado Rockies' Kyle Freeland scores in the fifth inning of the team's baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Eduardo Escobar watches his two-run triple against the Colorado Rockies during the sixth inning during a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story (27) flips the ball to Ryan McMahon to force out Arizona Diamondbacks' Jake Lamb on a ball hit by Ketel Marte, who was safe during the sixth inning during a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Phoenix. A run scored. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Colorado Rockies' Raimel Tapia reacts after hitting a single in the seventh inning during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Colorado Rockies' Trevor Story watches his RBI single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Carson Kelly and Archie Bradley (25) celebrate after the Diamondbacks defeated the Colorado Rockies 8-7 during a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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