Eduardo Escobar to the Diamondbacks

Eduardo Escobar to the Diamondbacks

Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Eduardo Escobar has been traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks from the Minnesota Twins. The 29 year old leads the American League in doubles. Escobar also has a lot of versatility around the infield; he’s played shortstop, third base, and second base.

Diamondbacks third baseman Jake Lamb left Thursday’s game against the Cubs with a shoulder contusion. Lamb has been placed on the 10-day DL but Escobar adds depth to help cover.

The Twins will acquire pitcher Jhoan Duran, outfielder Ernie De La Trinidad, and outfielder Gabriel Maciel. Here’s a quick summary.

Jhoan Duran, RHP: Signed out of the Dominican Republc in 2015, Duran is a long way from the majors but has an electric arm as a 20 year old. This year he has a 4.73 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 71 strikeouts in 64.2 innings pitched for Low-A Kane County. MLB.com ranked him as Arizona’sErn 19th prospect and now slots him at 22nd in the Twins system. He features a fastball up to 96 and shows potential with his curveball but is still making the transition from thrower to pitcher.

Gabriel Maciel was ranked by MLB.com as the Diamondbacks 11th top prospect until being traded to the Twins. Signed out of Brazil in 2016, Maciel is hitting .287 with 10 doubles, one homerun, and 16 RBIs in 68 games in the Low-A Midwest League. Maciel is still young and will continue to improve and grow his game. Speed and defense are his best tools but the switch-hitter lacks power at this point. He is 19 years old.

Ernie De La Trinidad is an outfielder, age 22, drafted in the 19th round in 2017 from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. He’s having a fine year in the Midwest League, hitting .311/.403/.442, showing line drive hitting ability from the left side with occasional power flashes. We need to see him at higher levels but he has potential as a sleeper prospect.