Alcides Escobar is struggling at the plate this year after posting a top seven fantasy year at shortstop in 2012.
Analysis: Alcides is only hitting .246 this year after hitting .293 in 2012. His career average sits at .263 so there is room for substantial improvement going forward. Escobar’s BABIP this year is down .025 points from his career average so we should expect his batting average to rise. Even with his batting average in the gutter and his stolen bases below expectation Alcides is still the 15th rated roto shortstop this year.
Escobar has averaged 30.5 stolen bases per season over the last two years, so the 12 he has thus far is a bit disappointing. The lack of steals is directly impacted by his lower batting average which equates to fewer stolen base opportunities. The steals will rise when his BABIP comes up around his career mark(which it should). Keep in mind that Kansas City is only five behind Detroit in the loss column in the AL Central so we may see a more aggressive KC team in the second half.
Alcides Escobar is available in 30-40% of fantasy leagues.