Yunel Escobar!!!

[Inukchuk]

A lot of peope like Escobar, but I'm not buying the hype. 15-20 HR's is laughable IMO (10 HR in 836 minor league at-bats). I doubt he reaches 70+ RBI's in the two spot even if he does manage to reach double digits in HR's. A normalization of his hit % wouldn't result in a .300 AVG much less the .326 he pulled off last season. A decent young MI option with nice position eligibility, but not someone I want at 2B or SS.

I actually think he does have some power potential. He's bulked up quite a bit over the last year, and he is not a small guy. I wouldn't bank on it, but I wouldn't be too surprised by 15HR, either.

Definitely agree with the RBI's, though. I know a lot of people like Kelly Johnson leading off, but I'm not one of them.

As far as his AVG goes, I can only say that he's hit at every stop (except AA...but whatever), so I would expect a near 300 AVG year in and year out...

I think you could definitely do worse if the top 10 2B are gone...

[SpecialFNK]

he just recently put on more muscle this offseason?
looking at previous minor league seasons should one really expect double digit HR's.
46 games AAA in 07 he had 2 HR.
121 games AA in 06 he had 2 HR.
48 games A in 05 he had 4 HR.
8 games Rk in 05 he had 2 HR.

will he run more out of the 2 spot?
he had 5 in the majors last season. 7 in 07(46 games), 7 in 06(121 games)
maybe 10+HR/10+SB in 08?

[Yoda]

He was already drafted in every league.

[dclark0699]

I'm just hoping your grammar has improved from last year...

Not off to a good start with the thread title.

But I'd be surprised if he is available in very many leagues. In my ten team league he was snapped up in round 16 or 17. Good positional flexibility, good lineup.

[decoy562]

I could see him developing into an Edgar Renteria type. Not bad.

[abc11435]

Some guy drafted him in 9th round in my league. And here I was checking to see if he's in FA pool.

[stumpak]

To be a little contrarian, I view this guy as highly overhyped. Really, what is the best case upside? .300/10/10? That is not even as good as someone like Polanco, and no one is jumping up and down if they have him in their line-up.

In over 1,100 professional ABs, he has 15 HRs and 19 SBs. A more realistic expectation is .290/7/7. That flat out sucks, even if he will have commensuratley high R and RBI totals from hitting #2 in Atlanta.

I would be seeking to urgently upgrade my 2B or SS if owned him, unless we are talking NL-only format. A far better bet for a better-than-average contribution is his teammate Kelly Johnson.

One of the more clear sell high candidates that has emerged in the first week of season.

[stumpak]

Some guy drafted him in 9th round in my league. And here I was checking to see if he's in FA pool.

That might win the award for worst draft pick of 2008.

[Havok1517]

I predicted Escobar would be very good and he was the reason why the Braves traded Renteria.

[stumpak]

I predicted Escobar would be very good and he was the reason why the Braves traded Renteria.

In real baseball this may make sense. But in fantasy Escobar will be one of these guys like Polanco - much more valuable in real life than in fantasy.