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Minnesota Twins: Power ranking the All-Star Candidates

By Nate Palmer

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 08: Jose Berrios #17 and Eddie Rosario #20 of the Minnesota Twins celebrate a solo home run by teammate Robbie Grossman #36 against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim during the sixth inning of the game on June 8, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Rosario was holding an inflatable Prince guitar as the team honored the late musician. The Angels defeated the Twins 4-2. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 08: Jose Berrios #17 and Eddie Rosario #20 of the Minnesota Twins celebrate a solo home run by teammate Robbie Grossman #36 against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim during the sixth inning of the game on June 8, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Rosario was holding an inflatable Prince guitar as the team honored the late musician. The Angels defeated the Twins 4-2. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 17: Eduardo Escobar #5 of the Minnesota Twins hits a one run double off starting pitcher Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Indians during the first inning at Progressive Field on June 17, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images) /

No. 2– Eduardo Escobar

Who saw this coming? I for one didn’t. In fact my personal thoughts before the season began is the Twins wouldn’t see a successful Eduardo Escobar if he was thrust into full-time duty. Again, I couldn’t  have been more wrong if the first part of the season means anything.

Between Jorge Polanco‘s suspension and Miguel Sano‘s struggles Escobar has been regularly lining up on the left side of the Twins infield. In that time frame Escobar has slashed .302/.353/.579 and has a .932 OPS. If we go a step deeper in stats he also has a .389 wOBA and a 148 wRC.

Escobar has been an absolute doubles machine. The result of what sounds like  a strategical shift he has been working on by paying attention to where and who his outfield hits are landing. That has him with a major league leading 30 doubles. If he keeps up his current pace he will take over the franchise season record for doubles in a season and will may push for Earl Webb‘s American League record of 67.

Escobar has also stretched two of those into triples and flashed some power with 12 home runs. He has also been surprisingly good with his glove at third base. Even if it seems the Twins may not trust him as a shortstop at this moment. With the current roster makeup that is OK since he is needed as the teams starting third basemen anyways.

Landing in the top-10 in the American League statistical categories such as slugging percentage and OPS should also have Escobar’s name brought up in the All-Star reserve conversation. With as many good infielders as there are in the AL it may be hard for him to crack the roster, but he is certainly deserving at this point.

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