Make Your Predictions: Yunel Escobar

by Tom Dakers on Jan 12, 2012 11:23 AM EST in Toronto Blue Jays Opinions

Yunel Escobar is high up on the list of guys I like to watch play the game. He had a really nice 2011 season, with a large slump through August.

We took a close look at his 2011 season here. His numbers with the Jays:

Year	Age	Tm	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
2010	27	TOR	60	266	236	32	65	7	0	4	16	1	1	19	26	.275	.340	.356	.696
2011	28	TOR	133	590	513	77	149	24	3	11	48	3	3	61	70	.290	.369	.413	.782
TOR (2 yrs)			193	856	749	109	214	31	3	15	64	4	4	80	96	.286	.360	.395	.755

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/12/2012.

Bill James figures him to play 146 games, hit 10 homers, 80 runs, 58 RBI with a .284/.364/.396. That doesn't sound bad to me.

I'm going to guess 145 games, 17 home runs, 60 RBI (it is batting order dependent and all), .295/.375/.445. I'm hoping he doesn't take a pitch off his elbow or head this year as well.

Tweet Comment 38 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Pretty much agree with you

I’d also like to expect a power improvement, but I’ll predict a bit less… I’ll say 145 games, .285/.365/.435 with 15 HR.

by 4dizzle on Jan 12, 2012 11:27 AM EST reply actions

148 games
.287/.370/.440
14 HR

I tweet.

by benk on Jan 12, 2012 11:42 AM EST reply actions

oops, one more time

148 games, .287/.370/.420
14 HR

I tweet.

by benk on Jan 12, 2012 11:43 AM EST up reply actions

Wow, very optimistic

That’s a 5+ WAR player, depending what you put in for defense

by MjwW on Jan 12, 2012 11:45 AM EST up reply actions

went overboard a bit on the SLG

but if you take DRS over UZR he’s had three seasons over 4.5 WAR already

I tweet.

by benk on Jan 12, 2012 12:42 PM EST up reply actions

with DRS

also those three seasons are over 5 WAR/150 games

I tweet.

by benk on Jan 12, 2012 12:44 PM EST up reply actions

I think you have a very strong case

Escobar bulked up a lot last year, towards the beginning he looked like he was hitting for a lot of power. May he had a slugging% of .490 to go with his .406 in April. I would expect him to do the same again.

Escobar in my opinion is our 2nd best player. Fielder had a rWAR of 4.66 over the last 3 years, while Yunel had an rWAR of 3.8 so he is near elite company. (Not really saying thats really close but its comparable)

Im a believer!

by Mike Andrew on Jan 13, 2012 4:11 PM EST up reply actions

140 games
.280/.360/.390
10 HR
+3 UZR/150

by MjwW on Jan 12, 2012 11:47 AM EST reply actions

That’s probably a little low in the power…call it .280/.360/.400

by MjwW on Jan 12, 2012 11:48 AM EST up reply actions

The one Jay that will surprise in 2012

150 games
.281
21 HRs
GOLD GLOVE

by Marcos Montenegro on Jan 12, 2012 11:57 AM EST reply actions

The GG would be a surprise

Given that he plays in the same league as Derek Jeter, Let’s face it, even though he’s a pylon out there, Jeter does catch the balls he can get to, he’s got an accurate arm, and most importantly, he’s got a massive reputation. Unless he complete collapses, he’s a lock for this award until the day he retires (and even after that, I’m sure he’ll get some votes).

by siggian on Jan 12, 2012 12:28 PM EST up reply actions