This is excellent analysis! I really like Escobar too, and I hope he beats Florimon out for the SS job in Spring Training. I think his offensive upside is clearly higher and he might even be a better defender. He's 2 years younger than Florimon too, so there's no downside.

I was pretty sure that Escobar got sent down in 2013 (to AAA) to play more SS and refine his skills. His .880 OPS in 188 PA showed a fluency with the bat that should have pleased everyone.

Can he sustain this? I don't know, but when he came back to the Twins in September (SSS) his offensive numbers were very good for a SS. They featured a .324 BA and a .343 OBP for the 24 year old.

I like Florimon as a fielder and wish him the best, but I believe the stronger Twins team has Escobar starting at SS and Florimon perhaps serving as the utility infielder.

Like the parallels with Dozier. Good work. Thanks Thry.

If he pulled a Dozier and made our SS spot in the lineup suddenly look acceptable as opposed to really bad, and could pull that off while drawing a wash in the defensive department with Florimon, that would be a good catalyst to a turnaround for the Twins. Hoping this analysis works out to come true. Thanks!

I don't know how I feel about a sample size of 1, but I do hope you're right.

I don't know how I feel about a sample size of 1, but I do hope you're right.

Not exactly a sample size of 1. Lots of PAs and def reps in there, because the comparison is minor league careers and seasons.... I guess one can describe an entire baseball career as sample size of 1

I've always liked the way he swings the bat. I also don't understand people wanting to peg him as a utility guy when he's only 24 and made his way to the big leagues rather quickly. He can easily improve as a hitter and fielder and, if that happens, he's clearly preferable to Florimon. I would give him every chance to win the SS job.

I think everyone forgets how young he is. Probably because the Sox pulled him up too soon and his stats were not very good. Not surprising considering his age and lack of consistent every day playing time.

All reports we've heard are good glove and athletic with a little speed. If he could supplant Floriman, who I LOVE for his glove, and people undervalue due to the Twins general lack of overall offense lately, I think we'd be better overall. At worse, I think he could platoon at SS against LHP and be a great sub at several positions.

On a side note, my choice a break-out candidate is Hicks. He is so gifted, and last season's rush and failure, along with the tremendous and worthwhile excitement over Buxton, has tempered people's opinions, probably far too much.

Since he was drafted, it was known he was raw and would take some time. He has often been compared to Tori Hunter, and probably rightfully so. And like Hunter, he has shown slow but steady progress, always adjusting and growing at each level. I believe he was simply rushed last season.

And less we forget, he was showing signs of actually improving before his injury last year. With his excellent defense, he could learn on the job, hit .230-.250, still provide 20 SB's, possibly 20 HR's and 30 plus doubles with a smattering of triples and still be a real asset.

On a side note, my choice a break-out candidate is Hicks...Since he was drafted, it was known he was raw and would take some time. He has often been compared to Tori Hunter, and probably rightfully so.

I agree with this or would it be so bad if he was a David Murphy+ type? I'd think Hicks would bring more to the table in defense and speed but David Murphy has been a solid offensive contributor.

Consider me unimpressed. the only thing that indicates Escobar is anything more than a utility player is a 43 game AAA sample size that includes a .373 BAPIP.