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Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Kid’s sizzling start has Braves fans buzzing
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There’s been a lot of buzz around some of the guys at Spring Training this year … Tom Glavine, Mike Hampton, Jordan Schafer, even Javy Lopez. But one youngster seems to be generating more excitement than all of them.
The idea of having Yunel Escobar at the top of the lineup for a full season has Braves fans, me included, almost giddy with anticipation. And with good reason.
The 25-year-old Cuban shortstop has 36 at-bats in 14 games this spring, and here are the stats: .472 average with 12 RBIs and 10 runs scored. He’s leading the team in RBIs and total bases (26) and is tied for the lead in runs scored and hits (14). All this comes on the heels of his strong debut — a .326 average in 94 games last year.
Escobar, who made five-time All-Star Edgar Renteria expendable after last season, is expected to take over the No. 2 spot, behind leadoff hitter Kelly Johnson. “He’ll bunt, hit the ball to the right side,” Bobby Cox told Dave O’Brien last week.
And Kelly seems happy to have him there. “With the way Escobar swings it,” he told DOB, “and the way the two guys behind him [Chipper and Texiera] swing it, just get on base and you’re going to score runs.”
Sounds good to me.
So how pumped are you about seeing Escobar this year? What other Braves prospects do you remember generating this much excitement?
Blog schedule note: I’m heading down to Spring Training on Thursday, and I’m not sure if I’ll be able to post something from Orlando. If I can, look for it on Friday; if not, I’ll see you back here early next week.
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