Marlins Trade Yunel Escobar to Rays for Prospect Derek Dietrich

Miami Marlins Trade Yunel Escobar to Tampa Bay Rays for Derek Dietrich

The Miami Marlins traded shortstop Yunel Escobar to the Tampa Bay Rays late Tuesday, receiving prospect Derek Dietrich back in exchange. Here's the scoop on Dietrich.

Derek Dietrich, INF: The Rays drafted Dietrich in the second round in 2010, from Georgia Tech. He hit .282/.343/.468 with 10 homers, 25 walks, and 78 strikeouts in 372 at-bats for High- A Charlotte this year, then .271/.324/.429 with four homers, seven walks, and 36 strikeouts in 133 at-bats after being promoted to Double-A Montgomery. He is a career .278/.342/.470 hitter in 304 games in the Rays system.

Dietrich is a 6-1, 200 pound left-handed hitter and right-handed thrower, born July 18, 1989. He has more power than most middle infielders, knocking 22 homers in Low-A in '11 and 14 more this year. He can become overly power-conscious at times and struggle to control the strike zone. Scouts aren't sure his batting averages and OBP will hold up in the majors, but he should provide more doubles and home runs than most second basemen. He's not a terrible defensive shortstop, but his range at the position is limited and he looked better after moving over to second base earlier this year. He needs more keystone experience, but is athletic enough to handle the position and has a better arm than most second basemen.