"The first year was hard because I didn't know anything about English, just Spanish," said Escobar. "And when people talked to me I didn't even understand what they told me. But with the passing years I've been learning a lot and I feel pretty good about it."
Named the Giants second best minor league prospect by Baseball America, the 22-year-old Escobar is on the fast track to the major leagues. A mid-90's fastball and outstanding change-up has the Giants closely monitoring him.
"Anytime you've got a kid that's got a pretty good arm and the mentality that he has right now," said Grizzlies Pitching Coach Dwight Bernard, "It's a quality thing to have for the Giants' organization."
But the pressure that should come with being a top prospect, just isn't there with Escobar. He brings the same focus and work ethic to the park every day.
"Pretty much I don't care about it," Escobar said without hesitation. "I don't care about numbers or stats or anything like that. I just go out there and do my job like a normal player and I feel pretty good about being here with the Giants."
The standout talent scouts are talking about was on display this past Sunday against Reno. Escobar threw seven shutout innings, only giving up two hits, and striking out five.
"I was dropping my elbow a little bit, and I made my adjustment during my bullpen," explained Escobar. "I kept my elbow up, I followed through with my mechanics, I made the adjustments, I did my hard work and I feel pretty good too."
Mature words for someone in his early 20s, but not at all surprising to anyone around him. That's why his catcher sees big things in Escobar's future.
"If he keeps working the way he is and he starts to understand the game the way he's doing it right now, I think he can be a superstar up there," said Grizzlies Catcher Guillermo Quiroz.
"When you sign your first contract at the age of 16, you sign to [someday] be in the major leagues," said Escobar. "It's going to be a good challenge for me."
Grizzlies fans might want to come out and watch him pitch before he's wearing a Giants uniform in the near future.
