Edwin José Escobar (born April 22, 1992) is a Venezuelan professional

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...

pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("Pitch (baseball), pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, ...

for the

Leones de Yucatán The Leones de Yucatán (English: Yucatán Lions) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League. The team plays its home games at Parque Kukulcán Alamo in Mérida, Yucatán. The Leones have won the Mexican League title five times in 1957 ...

of the

Mexican League The Mexican Baseball League (, or LMB, ) is a professional baseball league in Mexico. It is the oldest running professional sports league in the country. The league has 20 teams organized in two divisions, North and South. Teams play 114 games ...

. He has previously played in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...

(MLB) for the

Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Founded in as one of the Ameri ...

and

Arizona Diamondbacks The Arizona Diamondbacks are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West Division. The franchise was established ...

, and in

Nippon Professional Baseball is a professional baseball league and the highest level of baseball in Japan. Locally, it is often called , meaning simply ''Professional Baseball''; outside of Japan, NPB is often referred to as "Japanese baseball". The roots of the league ...

(NPB) for the

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters The are a Japanese professional Baseball in Japan, baseball team based in Kitahiroshima, Hokkaido, Kitahiroshima, Hokkaidō, in the Sapporo metropolitan area. They compete in the Pacific League of Nippon Professional Baseball, playing the major ...

and

Yokohama DeNA BayStars The are a professional baseball team in the Japanese Central League. Their home field is Yokohama Stadium, located in central Yokohama. The team has been known by several names since becoming a professional team in 1950. It adopted its current n ...

Career

Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers signed Escobar as an international

free agent In professional sports, a free agent is a player or manager who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises; i.e., not under contract to any specific team. The term is also used in reference to a player who is under a contract at present ...

in 2008. He made his professional debut with the rookie-level

Arizona League Rangers The Arizona Complex League Rangers are a Rookie-level affiliate of the Texas Rangers, competing in the Arizona Complex League of Minor League Baseball. The team plays its home games at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Arizona. The team is composed m ...

in 2009, logging a 2–5 record and 5.00 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 13 games.

San Francisco Giants

On April 1, 2010, Escobar was traded to the

San Francisco Giants The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...

in exchange for minor leaguer Ben Snyder. He spent the season with the Low-A

Salem-Keizer Volcanoes The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes are a baseball team located in Keizer, Oregon, who are charter members of the Mavericks Independent Baseball League, a four-team league entirely based in the Salem Metropolitan Statistical Area and playing all their ...

, pitching to a 2–4 record, a 4.86 ERA, and 69 strikeouts in 14 games. The next year, Escobar split the season between the rookie-level

Arizona League Giants The Arizona Complex League Giants are a professional baseball team competing as a Rookie-level affiliate of the San Francisco Giants in the Arizona Complex League of Minor League Baseball. The team plays its home games at Scottsdale Stadium in Sc ...

and the Single-A

Augusta GreenJackets The Augusta GreenJackets are a Minor League Baseball team of the Carolina League and the Single-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. They play their home games at SRP Park in North Augusta, South Carolina. History Augusta was a member of the S ...

, accumulating a 3–7 record and 6.58 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 52 innings of work. In 2012, he returned to Augusta, pitching to a 7–8 record and 2.96 ERA with 122 strikeouts in innings pitched. The Giants added Escobar to their

40-man roster A Major League Baseball roster is a list of players who are allowed, by league agreement, to play for a Major League Baseball (MLB) team. Each MLB team maintains two rosters: an active roster of players eligible to participate in an MLB game, an ...

after the 2012 season, in order to protect him from the

Rule 5 draft The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball (MLB) player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor lea ...

. He split the 2013 season between the High-A

San Jose Giants The San Jose Giants are a Minor League Baseball team of the California League and the Single-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Located in San Jose, California, the Giants play their home games at Excite Ballpark. Games San Jose Giants g ...

and the Double-A

Richmond Flying Squirrels The Richmond Flying Squirrels are a Minor League Baseball team based in Richmond, Virginia. The team, which is a part of the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major league club, and plays at The Diamond. Th ...

, posting a 8–8 record and 2.80 ERA with 146 strikeouts in 26 games (24 starts) split between the two affiliates. He began the 2014 season with the Triple-A

Fresno Grizzlies The Fresno Grizzlies are a Minor League Baseball team of the California League and the Single-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. They are located in Fresno, California, and play their home games at Chukchansi Park, which was opened in 2002 in ...

, and logged a 3–8 record and 5.11 ERA with 96 strikeouts in 20 games.

Boston Red Sox

The Giants traded Escobar and Heath Hembree to the

in exchange for

Jake Peavy Jacob Edward Peavy (born May 31, 1981) is an American former professional baseball pitcher, who is currently an on-air analyst for MLB Network. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, ...

on July 26, 2014. He was called up to the Red Sox on August 10, and returned to the Triple-A

Pawtucket Red Sox The Pawtucket Red Sox, known colloquially as the PawSox, were a professional minor league baseball club based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. From 1973 to 2020, the team was a member of the International League and served as the Triple-A affiliate ...

the next day. Escobar was recalled on August 27, and pitched a scoreless 8th inning in his Major League debut in Toronto against the

Toronto Blue Jays The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Since 1989, the team has p ...

. He finished his rookie season with a 4.50 ERA and 2 strikeouts in 2 appearances. In 2015, Escobar spent the majority of the season in Triple-A Pawtucket, also playing in 1 game for the Single-A

Greenville Drive The Greenville Drive are a Minor League Baseball team based in Greenville, South Carolina. They are the High-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox and are a member of the South Atlantic League. They play their home games at Fluor Field at the West E ...

, and pitched to a 3–3 record and 4.97 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 20 games. He was assigned to Pawtucket to begin the 2016 season. Escobar was

designated for assignment Designated for assignment (DFA) is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball (MLB). A player who is designated for assignment is immediately removed from the team's 40-man roster, after which the team must, within seven days, return the pla ...

on April 20, 2016, to make room on the active roster for

William Cuevas William Enrique Cuevas Osorio (born October 14, 1990) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the KT Wiz of the KBO League. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox and the Detroit Tigers. Listed at and , ...

Arizona Diamondbacks

On April 29, 2016, Escobar was claimed off waivers by the

and optioned to the Triple-A

Reno Aces The Reno Aces are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. They are located in Reno, Nevada, and play their home games at Greater Nevada Field, w ...

. The Diamondbacks promoted Escobar to the major leagues to make his first major league start on May 30. In 25 games for Arizona, Escobar recorded a 7.23 ERA with 17 strikeouts in innings pitched.

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters

On November 18, 2016, the

Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. Since , the team ...

claimed Escobar off waivers. Escobar was designated for assignment on January 5, 2017, to make room on the 40-man roster for

Edwin Encarnación Edwin Elpidio Encarnación Rivera (born January 7, 1983) is a Dominican former professional baseball designated hitter, third baseman and first baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Toronto Blue Jays, Cleve ...

. He was released on January 10, to pursue a pitching opportunity in Japan. On January 11, 2017, Escobar signed a one-year, $775,000 with the

. In 14 games for the Fighters, Escobar registered a 1-2 record and 5.64 ERA with 19 strikeouts in innings of work.

Yokohama DeNA BayStars

On July 7, 2017, Escobar was traded to the

in exchange for catcher Toshiki Kurobane. The BayStars re-signed him in the offseason to a one-year deal worth roughly $500,000. He finished the 2017 season with a 3.44 ERA and 33 strikeoutsin 27 games for the BayStars. In 2018, Escobar pitched in 53 games for the team, posting a 4–3 record and 3.57 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 53 innings pitched. Escobar agreed to another one-year contract with the BayStars for the 2019 season worth roughly $854,000. That season, Escobar pitched to a 5–4 record and 2.51 ERA with 88 strikeouts in 74 appearances. On November 18, 2019, Escobar signed an additional one-year extension, worth roughly $1.5 million, to remain with the BayStars. In 2020, Escobar logged a 1-4 record and 2.33 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 54 innings pitched across 56 games. On November 7, 2023, following the regular season, the BayStars announced that Escobar was no longer under contract with the team and that they would begin negotiations regarding a new contract. In 7 seasons in NPB, he had registered a 22-23 record and 3.17 ERA with 383 strikeouts across innings pitched.

Chicago Cubs

On November 20, 2023, Escobar signed a minor league contract with the

Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Division. Th ...

. In 31 appearances for the Triple–A

Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. They are located in Des Moines, Iowa, and are named for their Major League Baseball (MLB) affiliate. T ...

, he recorded a 4.86 ERA with 47 strikeouts across innings pitched. Escobar was released by the Cubs organization on July 16, 2024.

Sultanes de Monterrey

On July 22, 2024, Escobar signed with the

Sultanes de Monterrey The Sultanes de Monterrey (English: Monterrey Sultans) are a professional baseball club in the Mexican League (LMB) based in Monterrey, Mexico. Established in 1939 as Carta Blanca, the Sultanes have won ten LMB titles, most recently in 2018. Fro ...

of the

. In 4 games for Monterrey, he struggled to a 6.75 ERA with 5 strikeouts over 4 innings of work. Escobar was released by the Sultanes on March 3, 2025.

Leones de Yucatán

On May 16, 2025, Escobar signed with the

of the

Personal life

Escobar is son of shortstop José Escobar, as well as cousin of outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr., infielders

Luisangel Acuña Luisangel José Acuña (born March 12, 2002) is a Venezuelan professional baseball infielder for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2024. Career Texas Rangers Acuña grew up in La Sabana, Venezuela. Acu� ...

and Alcides Escobar, and pitchers

Kelvim Escobar Kelvim José Escobar Bolívar (born April 11, 1976) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball pitcher. He played for the Toronto Blue Jays (1997–2003) and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2004–2007, 2009). He won 101 games, but his career ...

and Vicente Campos.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Escobar, Edwin 1992 births Living people 21st-century Venezuelan sportsmen Arizona Diamondbacks players Arizona League Giants players Arizona League Rangers players Augusta GreenJackets players Baseball players from Vargas (state) Boston Red Sox players Cardenales de Lara players

Edwin The name Edwin means "wealth-friend". It comes from (wealth, good fortune) and (friend). Thus the Old English form is Ēadwine, a name widely attested in early medieval England. Edwina is the feminine form of the name. Notable people and char ...

Fresno Grizzlies players Greenville Drive players Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters players Iowa Cubs players Leones de Yucatán players Major League Baseball pitchers Major League Baseball players from Venezuela Nippon Professional Baseball pitchers Pawtucket Red Sox players Reno Aces players Richmond Flying Squirrels players Salem-Keizer Volcanoes players San Jose Giants players Sultanes de Monterrey players Venezuelan expatriate baseball players in Japan Venezuelan expatriate baseball players in the United States Yokohama DeNA BayStars players

Career

Texas Rangers

San Francisco Giants

Boston Red Sox

Arizona Diamondbacks

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters

Yokohama DeNA BayStars

Chicago Cubs

Sultanes de Monterrey

Leones de Yucatán

Personal life

See also

References

External links