Eduardo Escobar made his biggest leap in Arizona, now he returns as a member of the Mets

PHOENIX — The Mets' stop in Arizona isn't a road trip for Eduardo Escobar — it's a return home.

As the Mets kicked off a three-game series against the Diamondbacks, Escobar, who resides nearby in the offseason, was able to sleep in his own bed and see his sons.

"I have a lot of good memories on this field," Escobar said. "I represented Arizona when I was in the All-Star game too and that was special. To the great fans here, great people in the front office, coach and managers and players, I say thank you to everybody that helped me in my career a lot."

The series against the Diamondbacks marks the Mets third baseman's first trip back to the Arizona ballpark since he was traded from the Diamondbacks to the Brewers late last July.

Escobar, who began his career with the White Sox before spending part of seven season with the Twins, took his play to new heights while playing for the Diamondbacks betweens 2018 and 2021.

In his first full season with the team back in 2019, he clubbed a career-high 35 home runs with 118 RBI and a league-best 10 triples while slashing .269/.320/.511.

"For (Robinson) Cano, he will say it’s a small field here,” Escobar said with a laugh. “I’m not a home run hitter. The game for me, I walk to home plate with a plan and swing the bat hard.

"I’m happy that I hit 30 home runs — that’s a lot of homers — but for me, if I’m not working in the offseason I wouldn’t hit 30 home runs. I’m working hard and the results come."

Escobar earned his first All-Star appearance last season, knocking 22 home runs and 65 RBI in 98 games with the D-Backs before being acquired by the Brewers, who went on to win the NL Central with a 95-67 record.

Now, the switch-hitting Escobar, who has found a regular spot at No. 5 in the lineup behind Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso, is a key piece to the Mets' aspirations of ending their playoff drought.

Last season, Escobar's wOBA was .369 against left-handers and .322 against right-handers.

"A switch hitter is really hard sitting there (when he) doesn’t really have that much fluctuation left and right," Buck Showalter said. "I know from being in the other dugout what challenges that presents. I think Eduardo enjoys that. It’s a very important spot hitting there behind Pete."

And he's been a valuable part of the team's strong 1-4 start to the season. In 12 games, the 33-year-old is batting .312 with seven runs, five RBIs, a team-high 12 walks and a league-high seven doubles. 

Escobar said he leaves the lineup decisions to the manager, but it's his job to make sure he's playing at a level where he belongs in the lineup every day.

"Every year I’m working and working, but I’ve learned more," Escobar said. "Now, I’m more relaxed at home plate, more focused on having good swings. I want a base-hit on every at bat and I know it’s really hard.

"When you focus or do what you want at home plate, how I’m playing is different. Now, the only thing in my head is you’re not going to hit it every at-bat, the one thing you control is keeping a good at-bat."

Escobar signed a two-year, $20 million contract with the Mets in the fall. He e has reveled in joining a veteran clubhouse that includes several Latino players, including Robinson Cano and Francisco Lindor. Escobar is a sponge and wants to continue to learn in his 12th season to maximize his potential.

And he hopes that their shared vision and work ethic can help the Mets continue to find success.

"(Cano) is the guy who teaches a lot of young players, that’s why he has 18 years in the big leagues because he works," Escobar said. "I look at him every day and what’s his routine? He’s a guy you need to follow. Same thing with Lindor, Alonso, there’s a lot of players here who are very good. That energy impacts the clubhouse."

Pitching plans

A rainstorm last Monday cast doubt on Showalter's plans for his pitching rotation heading into the Mets' seven-game trip.

With Tylor Megill and Max Scherzer pitching in Tuesday's doubleheader and Showalter insisting on each guy getting normal rest, that leaves a gap for Saturday's game.

Showalter said on Friday that Trevor Williams is one of the leading options to take Saturday's game but would not commit to that plan.

"We're going to always protect our pitching physically and making sure we're covered," Showalter said. "When we get through the game today, we'll have an idea."

Megill will get the start on Saturday, while Scherzer will open the three-game series against the Cardinals on Monday.

Taijuan Walker, who is returning from right shoulder bursitis, threw a bullpen session before Friday's game, and Showalter said he didn't think there were any issues. A decision on Walker's return and whether he needs an extra rehab start is expected come Saturday.

Andrew Tredinnick is the Mets beat writer for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all Mets analysis, news, trades and more, please subscribe today and download our app. 

Email: atredinnick@gannett.com Twitter: @andrew_tred