Escobar returns for Royals: Royals SS Alcides Escobar (ankle) returned to the starting lineup on Monday in Oakland. Escobar, who had missed the previous two games with a left ankle sprain, finished 1 for 4 with a single and a run scored in the 11-5 victory. He is now batting .247 on the season. (Updated 09/05/2011)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/12/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Escobar was able to get back in the lineup on Monday and showed no ill-effects from his ankle injury. While the 25-year-old has been an iron man in Kansas City for the most part this season, he remains in the lineup more for his defense than offense. Fantasy owners should consider Escobar a low-end option in deeper mixed formats over the final few weeks of the season. (Updated 09/05/2011).
01/30/2012 12:03 2012 Draft Prep: Rotisserie strategies
If Rotisserie success is based solely on numbers, why not focus on the stats that matter instead of the names in the draft room? Scott White helps you capitalize on the subtleties of drafting for Roto formats.
01/20/2012 10:32 2012 Fantasy outlooks: Kansas City Royals
Kansas City made progress in 2011, giving some of its top prospects a full shot at the big leagues. As our Al Melchior writes, the Royals might not win the division in 2012, but they can sure help Fantasy owners.
So after disappointing with pitiful offensive numbers during his rookie 2010 season, Alcides Escobar turned over a new leaf in Kansas City and lived happily ever after. Yeah, you wish that's what happened. Unfortunately, Escobar took his struggles with him to the AL after coming over in the Zack Greinke deal last offseason. He was considered an elite shortstop prospect when he was coming up through the Brewers system, compiling a .293 batting average in the minors, so his lack of success at the major-league level by age 25 is more than a little discouraging. In fact, it might be reason enough to just accept that he's no more than a low-end Fantasy option. It's not like he ever demonstrated much power or a particularly high walk rate in the minors. The one improvement Escobar did make with his move to Kansas City was stealing a few more bases, but he didn't suddenly become an elite contributor in the category. If you want to find some reason for optimism, Escobar did save his best for the end of the season, hitting .324 with seven steals and an .827 OPS in September. But the bottom line is you're only going to draft him in mixed leagues if you're hurting for a middle infielder in the late rounds. (Updated 1/9/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
