Edgmer Escalona

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #27 prospect in 2011
  Escalona is strictly a reliever, and he has yet to start a game in six minor league seasons, covering 212 appearances. He can dominate hitters with a heavy, sinking fastball that runs between 92-96 mph. His slider is a decent No. 2 pitch at times but no more than average. His inability to command a split-fingered pitch denies him the offspeed pitch he needs to be effective against lefthanders. He has the size to be durable. The biggest problem for Escalona has been his inability to become consistent with his delivery, and his poor arm action makes it hard for him to find a consistent release point. After two years of showing marked improvement in command, Escalona took a step backward in 2010, giving up 32 walks and an alarming 17 homers in 69 innings in Triple-A. He did get a late-season call to the big leagues and kept his 40-man roster spot this offseason. He's projected to return to Colorado Springs unless his control improves in the spring.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #27 prospect in 2010
  Escalona has made tremendous strides in the last two seasons, improving his control while reaching Double-A as a 22-year-old. He has one of the best fastballs in the system, pitching at 92-96 mph and hitting 98 on occasion while coming out of the bullpen. He has good sink on his heater, inducing a lot of weak contact. Escalona has a decent slider, but to be more than a middle reliever he needs to refine his splitter to give him something offspeed that he can use against lefthanders. In a rarity for a pitching prospect, he never has started a game in five pro seasons. The Rockies gave him permission to pitch for Caracas in the second half of the Venezuelan League, and he continued to make progress. He'll get the chance to make the Colorado Springs roster out of spring training after getting added to the 40-man roster this offseason.