Alcides Escobar: The Next Great Shortstop?

At a very thin position, fantasy owners are scouring rosters looking for the next breakout shortstop.  Alcides Escobar just may be that player.  There are reasons to be optimistic that Escobar could be the savior that you need if you dont have an elite shortstop.  Let's examine the reasons why Escobar could emerge this season.

Stolen Bases:
Don't look at the fact that Escobar only stole four bases with the Brewers last year.  Pay more attention to the fact that he only had six steal attempts.  At AAA Nashville, the speedster netted 42 steals in 52 attempts.  That eighty percent rate is dampened by the fact that it was at the minor league level where catchers don't possess major league cannons.  Nonetheless, Escobar undoubtedly showed his potential to burn the basepaths.

Runs:
Escobar will likely be stuck at the top of the Brewers lineup.  Yes, the same Brewers lineup as RBI machines Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder.  As long as Escobar can find a way on base, he should benefit from the run producing tandem behind him.  If his base stealing ability translates to the major league level, Escobar could find himself in scoring position often when Braun and Fielder are up to bat.

Batting Average:
Last season Escobar batted .298 at AAA Nashville in 430 at-bats.  He improved that mark in the majors by hitting .304 over 125 at-bats.  It does not seem unreasonable to project Escobar to be in the .280 - .300 range over the course of a full major league season.

At-Bats:
Drafting a shortstop that bats at the beginning of a lineup can result in many more opportunities for your player to excel.  Over the course of a whole season a player that bats first or second will likely get a hundred more at bats than someone that bats toward the end of the lineup.  Escobar is projected to be the everyday shortstop and bat at the beginning of a lineup that will score close to 800 runs this season.  Therefore, it is not unreasonable to suggest that Escobar could get 700 plate appearances with 600 at-bats.

Undoubtedly, Escobar will be an interesting player to watch this season.  Escobar does not have the power potential that other elite shortstops possess, but his run totals and stolen bases give him some potential to land within the top five shortstops this season.