Kansas City Royals Alcides Escobar Finally Gets His Due

Typically, when watching a game of baseball, defense is relegated to afterthought status. Unless a truly spectacular play is being made, fans typically pay attention to defense only in the case of an error. It is almost taken for granted that a player will make the routine play, and that there is nothing to really see there. Unless, of course, one watches the Kansas City Royals, who have turned this vastly underrated segment of the game and turned it into an art form.

One of the key pieces of that dominance on defense has been Alcides Escobar. A throwback to the days when shortstops were expected to be fast and provide an excellent glove, Escobar’s presence in the middle of the infield is a major reason why the Royals have become a truly elite defensive team. Any time he is in the lineup, there is a distinct possibility that Escobar will make a play that will be unlike anything seen before.

However, on a team with defensive stalwarts like Alex Gordon, Salvador Perez, Lorenzo Cain and Eric Hosmer, Escobar has been lost in the shuffle. As other members of the Royals have become perennial Gold Glove winners, Escobar, who has certainly been deserving, has been shut out from the award.

That is, until last night. Alcides Escobar finally received his due, joining Perez and Hosmer in winning the award. The Kansas City Royals shortstop, who may have been penalized in the past for his weaker bat (because, somehow, it felt as though offensive production factored in – how else would Derek Jeter win a Gold Glove) and for the plethora of candidates on his team, has been recognized for his stellar play.

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Interestingly enough, this was not Escobar’s best season with the glove. While Escobar was third with a .980 fielding percentage and a 4.28 range factor, his nine runs saved rated fifth in the American League. Escobar was fourth with 217 putouts and fifth with 417 assists. Compared to his 2014 season, when Escobar was snubbed for the Gold Glove award, 2015 was subpar by his standards.

However, there is no disputing that Escobar is one of the premier defensive shortstops, not just in the American League, but in baseball. This Gold Glove award has been long overdue, given his defensive wizardry. Now, if only Cain can get his….

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Congrats to Alcides Escobar on finally winning the Gold Glove. For the Kansas City Royals shortstop, this recognition is long overdue.