KC Royals Fantasy Heroes: Alcides Escobar Stuck In Slump

The KC Royals bounced back from two losses on Sunday in Chicago with a 6-2 win over Cleveland on Monday. However, shortstop Alcides Escobar continues to be stuck in a slump, going 0 for 5 on the day.

Escobar was the only Kansas City Royals batter not to get a hit. The rest of the lineup rapped out 13 hits, including four from third baseman Mike Moustakas.

The KC Royals recovered from their wet weekend in Chicago to start off their three game series in Cleveland with a win.

ALCIDES ECOBAR

Alcides Escobar has been mired in a slump ever since Oakland A’s third baseman Brett Lawrie spiked him April 17.

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Since that game against Oakland, Alcides Escobar has hit a mere 6 for 34 after going into that game with a .359 batting average. Escobar is now hitting a mere .274/.299/.342 in wake of his slide.

The key point is that Escobar’s on base percentage is simply unacceptable for a leadoff hitter. With his bat no longer producing hits, Alcides Escobar doesn’t walk enough to be effective as a no.1 hitter.

This problem should come as no real surprise. Despite Alcides Escobar’s strong performance as a leadoff hitter early this season and during the 2014 playoffs, he’s has a career .299 OBP.

You don’t want that guy getting the most At Bats on the team.

While KC Royals manager Ned Yost is well-known for his tendency to ignore sabermetric wisdom, even he is likely to make a change if Escobar’s bat remains cold.

Fantasy players who have Alcides Escobar should probably remove him from the lineup until he starts hitting again. No only is he failing to hit, by failing to get on base he won’t rack up steals.

Alcides Escobar isn’t really worth playing at the present time.

AT THE PLATE

After scoring 5 runs in two losses on Sunday (which included finishing Friday’s suspended game), the KC Royals smacked 13 hits and scored 6 runs on Monday.

The best part is the team scored all of those runs, and got 10 of their hits, against Cleveland ace Corey Kluber. At least we know the Kansas City Royals can hit the best the Indians have to offer.

Mike Moustakas had the best day of KC Royals hitters, going 4 for 5 with 3 singles, 1 double, 2 runs scored, and 1 RBI (5). Moustakas continues to show he mad a real transformation to his approach at the plate over the winter.

Eric Hosmer went 2 for 4 with 2 singles, 1 walk, 1 run scored and 1 RBI (11).

Alex Gordon continues to show he’s recovered from his wrist surgery this winter, going 2 for 4 with a 1 single, 1 double, and 2 RBIs (9).

Jarrod Dyson swiped three bases despite only going 1 for 4 with 1 run scored.

ON THE MOUND

Jason Vargas recovered from a rough outing his last time out to go 5.0 innings, allowing 3 hits, 2 runs, 5 walks, with 1 strikeout. Despite fighting his control all day, Vargas managed to earn the win (2-1).

Ryan Madson entered in the 6th inning with a 4-2 lead. Madson pitched 1.0 inning, allowing 0 hits, 0 walks, and 0 runs, with 2 strikeouts.

Franklin Morales pitched the 7th inning, allowing 1 hit and ringing up 2 whiffs.

Kelvin Herrera came on in the 8th, and pitched a clean inning with 1 strikeout.

Wade Davis finished the 9th with another clean inning with 1 strikeout.

UP NEXT

The KC Royals play the second game of their series against Cleveland on Tuesday. Jeremy Guthrie (1-1, 5.50 ERA) will pitch for the Kansas City Royals against Trevor Bauer (2-0, 0.95 ERA) for the Indians. Game time is Tuesday, April 28, 5:10 PM CST at Jacobs Field in Cleveland.

Next: KC Royals: Evaluating Division Rival Cleveland Indians