Luis

Escobar

Escobar was a highly-regarded pitching prospect in the Pirates’ minor-league system, but wound up making just four appearances in the majors during the 2019 season. He emerged as one of the premier arms in the Mexican League last year, posting a stellar 2.54 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 43/31 K/BB ratio across 67 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old righty will continue to rebuild his value overseas next year.

Escobar was designated for assignment last week and passed through waivers unclaimed. The 23-year-old spent the majority of the 2019 season at the Triple-A level and posted a 4.09 ERA in 55 innings there.

Escobar is removed from the 40-man roster to make room for the five prospects added to it by the Pirates on Wednesday. At one time, he was considered one of the better arms in the system, but he hasn’t really put it together, and he struggled with a 7.94 ERA with the Pirates in 2019. He’ll either head to Triple-A Indianapolis or elect free agency; assuming he isn’t claimed by another club.

Escobar allowed five earned runs over 5 2/3 innings of relief during his nearly three-week stay with Pittsburgh. Alex McRae has been called up in a corresponding move ahead of Thursday’s series finale versus St. Louis.

Escobar will be making his major league debut. The 23-year-old has a 1.99 ERA in 23 games (five starts) across Double-A and Triple-A this year. He will likely pitch mostly in relief but could make a spot start occasionally.

Escobar allowed just two hits, and he issued two walks. The 23-year-old was put back in the Triple-A rotation in the middle of May, and the product of Colombia has allowed no more than a run in all five of his starts in 2019. Escobar gets his fastball into the mid 90s -- higher when pitching in short spurts -- and he shows a plus curve and useable change. The issue for Escobar has been his control, as he struggles to repeat his release point and throw consistent, quality strikes. Still, the stuff is good enough for Escobar to be a mid-rotation starter someday, with high-leverage reliever -- if he improves his control a smidgen -- as a possible landing spot, as well.

In a system full of talented right-handers, Escobar doesn’t get as much attention as he should. He’s struck out 84 hitters in 63 innings this year, and he’s done it with a borderline 70-grade fastball and solid curve. He’s a bit old for the league (he’ll be 22 next May), but the stuff is legit, and Escobar has a chance to miss lots of bats moving forward.

Escobar gave up just two hits on the afternoon, and he walked two and struck out nine. That gives Escobar 118 strikeouts in his 92 innings this year. Long story short, he can miss a lot of bats. There’s still a lot of work to be done, but there’s a lot to like about Escobar’s arsenal. If you’re looking for an unheralded arm that can pile up the strikeouts, here you go.

Escobar, 21, held a 3.83 ERA and 168/60 K/BB ratio over 131 2/3 frames for West Virginia in 2017. He’s now protected from the Rule 5 Draft.