SANTO DOMINGO – The Leones del Escogido, current national and Caribbean champions, have announced the incorporation of the experienced Venezuelan infielder Alcides Escobar as a key reinforcement for the decisive phase of the tournament, according to the club’s general manager, Carlos Peña. Peña highlighted that Escobar’s arrival will not only strengthen the team’s performance, but also his leadership on the field.
During the fall-winter season 2025-26, Escobar demonstrated his offensive ability with the Tiburones de La Guaira in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League, recording a .316 average, a .792 OPS, two home runs, 26 RBIs, 13 doubles, and 24 runs scored in 43 games. The versatile player, capable of covering third base, shortstop, and second base, has an outstanding career in the Major Leagues, where he played 13 seasons between 2008 and 2019. He was a key player in the 2015 World Series victory with the Kansas City Royals, a team with which he also participated in the All-Star Game and won the Gold Glove that same year. Subsequently, Escobar defended the colors of the Washington Nationals in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. In his MLB career, he accumulated a .258 average, with 45 home runs, 478 RBIs, 178 stolen bases, 249 doubles, 58 triples, and 670 runs scored in 1,552 games. Currently, the Leones del Escogido lead the Round Robin with a 7-3 record, tied with the Toros del Este and with a two-game lead over the Águilas Cibaeñas. This Wednesday, they will face the Gigantes del Cibao (1-9) starting at 7:15 PM at the Quisqueya Juan Marichal Stadium.Escobar brings us leadership, experience, and knowledge of the game at the highest level. His presence on the field and in the clubhouse elevates the group at a key moment. We trust that his veteran status will be an important factor in what remains of the tournament.
Carlos Peña
