With each day that passes, it’s becoming more apparent that Aroon Escobar’s promotion to the major leagues is no longer a matter of if, but when.
Where he’ll eventually land on the field, however, remains uncertain.
Currently manning second base for the Philadelphia Phillies’ Single-A affiliate in Clearwater, Florida, the 20-year-old Escobar—who celebrated his birthday on January 1—has been swinging a hot bat since Opening Day.
In his first 22 games with the Threshers, Escobar has recorded seven multi-hit performances compared to just five hitless outings. Over 84 at-bats, the 5-foot-10, 180-pound infielder has compiled an impressive .333/.456/.583 slash line and a 1.039 OPS.
Originally signed out of Venezuela in 2022 for $450,000 as an international free agent, Escobar got off to a slow start in the Dominican Summer League. However, he began turning heads last year in the Florida Complex League, where he slashed .338/.495/.481 with three homers, two doubles, and nine stolen bases across 24 games.
Aroon Escobar, 20, Flashes Offensive Skills With Single-A Clearwater
Heading into 2025, ESPN analyst Kiley McDaniel identified Escobar as a breakout candidate with the potential to leap from outside the top 200 prospects into the top 100 by 2026. His strong performance with Clearwater has only reinforced that outlook. CBS Sports’ R.J. Anderson recently named Escobar as the Phillies’ representative on a list spotlighting one must-watch prospect from each National League team.
“Escobar has shown impressive power, with nearly 60% of his batted balls reaching at least 95 mph,” Anderson noted. “While his average launch angle remains low, the trajectory of his hardest hits suggests strong home-run potential. He’s primarily played second base but is also getting reps at third. Overall, Escobar is a compelling prospect who could soon rank near the top of the Phillies’ farm system.”
Baseball America’s Geoff Pontes also featured Escobar among 15 unranked players making a strong impression early in 2025.
“Escobar consistently finds the barrel at ideal angles, giving him the ability to hit for power against a wide range of pitches,” Pontes observed. “His hit tool is advanced, showing both plate discipline and pull-side pop. Though he’s small in stature and not the most polished defender, his energy and solid hands give him a real shot to stick at second base. At 20, Escobar is quickly rising alongside other top young infielders across the minor leagues.”
MLB Analyst Cites Phillies Prospect Aroon Escobar as ‘A Prime Candidate’ to be Traded
Currently ranked as the No. 13 prospect in the Phillies’ system, Aroon Escobar’s future with the organization beyond this season is uncertain. Joel Reuter of Athlon Sports believes Escobar may not finish the year in Philadelphia.
Reuter points out the Phillies’ bullpen has struggled early in the 2025 season, posting a 4.71 ERA—25th in the league. He recalls last summer’s trade in which Philadelphia dealt top-30 prospects George Klassen and Samuel Aldegheri to the Angels for reliever Carlos Estevez, and he anticipates a similar strategy this year, with Escobar potentially being used as trade bait.
“Just like Klassen and Aldegheri last year, infielder Aroon Escobar is having a breakout season that’s boosting his value as a prospect,” Reuter explains, “and that could make him an ideal candidate for the Phillies to capitalize on in a July trade.”
