Top 100 Angels: Kelvim ESCOBAR #57

by Rev Halofan on Dec 27, 2008 2:00 PM PST in 100 Top Angels

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.

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i hope we keep him around after this season

by ihearhowie2.0 on Dec 27, 2008 2:28 PM PST reply actions

seconded.

12/19/08 - Thank you KLJ for coming into my life.

by norcaliangelsfan on Dec 27, 2008 4:03 PM PST up reply actions

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.

Jim Scully

Jim Scully Home
Haloville - Land of the Halos

by jimmuscomp on Dec 27, 2008 4:08 PM PST up reply actions

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.

If GA wasn't so Lazy, I'd have something clever here.

by TheTypingFiend on Dec 27, 2008 5:40 PM PST up reply actions

well ya

Although maybe getting him for very cheap because of the risk could work out

by ihearhowie2.0 on Dec 27, 2008 10:48 PM PST up reply actions

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.

by stolenbases on Dec 27, 2008 4:36 PM PST reply actions

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.

Angels fan since '67

by red floyd on Dec 28, 2008 9:03 AM PST reply actions

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.

by stolenbases on Dec 28, 2008 10:10 AM PST up reply actions