Pitcher Kelvim Escobar was part of Arte Moreno's mad cash dash '03-'04 offseason signing frenzy that added Bartolo Colon, Jose Guillen and Vladimir Guerrero to the Angels. He was a critical component in the division championships teams of '04, '05 and '07. Bone spurs in his elbow in 2005 brought him to the bullpen late in the season where he made a fateful relief appearance in Game 2 of the 2005 ALCS - a strike 3 sinkerball dipped so low for Catcher Josh Paul that umpire Doug Eddings was fooled into call it a dropped ball by the White Sox batter. The rest is another sad chapter of Angels history.
But Escobar's positive contributions to Angels lore are numerous. In 653 Innings Pitched, his K/9 of 7.73 is ranks 4th in franchise history. His 2.63 K to BB rate ranks 6th all time. Most impressive, his Adjusted ERA+ of 125 ranks 3rd all time in franchise history and is the highest of any Starting Pitcher who ever wore a Halo.
0 recs | 10 comments
i hope we keep him around after this season
ihearhowie2.0 - December 27, 2008
seconded.
norcaliangelsfan - December 27, 2008
Wait a second...
he had shoulder surgery – let’s see if he can lift his arm over his head in October before talking about extending him. He may never be the same, folks. That is a real possibility. I sure hope he bounces back, but caution is in order…big time.
jimmuscomp - December 27, 2008
I’m sure keeping him around would be contingent on his arm working.
That said I hope he comes back wearing Angels red as well.
TheTypingFiend - December 27, 2008
well ya
Although maybe getting him for very cheap because of the risk could work out
ihearhowie2.0 - December 27, 2008
Escobar is one of those pitches that you ask "what if"
What if he never had the injury problems that he had? What if he decided to get surgery earlier instead of later?
If Escobar would have had the health of Lackey, I feel without a doubt he would have been the ace and one of the most dominant pitchers in the AL as well as a perennial CY contender. He stuff is just too nasty and more importantly, he knows how to use it which makes for a deadly combination. It’s just sad that he was never able to fulfill his promise due to injuries.
stolenbases - December 27, 2008
Kelvim also had issues with Run support.
In 2006, he had an ERA+ of 126, but went 11-14. I know that if he had ANY offensive support at all, he would have probably been about 16-9 or so.
red floyd - December 28, 2008
Good point
Even if Escobar isn’t able to pitch effectively again, I will always see his stint with the Angels as mostly positive albeit somewhat frustrating due to the injuries.
stolenbases - December 28, 2008
Kelvim's Specialty
The Red Jersey :)
AnaheimHalos61 - December 28, 2008
Word
red floyd - December 28, 2008
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