Mets’ Eduardo Escobar finally busting out of slump

Eduardo Escobar’s ice-cold bat is showing signs of defrosting.

The Mets lost to the Rangers 7-3 on Saturday afternoon at Citi Field, but that was no fault of Escobar’s. The third baseman went 2-for-4, blasting a home run for the second day in a row, his eighth homer overall on the season.

Manager Buck Showalter viewed the strong performance as a sign of more consistent play to come.

“[Escobar] has a very consistent personality … and he’s grinded in every pitch, every at bat,” he said. “The good ones like him chase their track record, and that’s where I expect him to be. I’m hoping the last two or three games were a sign of that.”

Escobar’s home run in the fourth inning came on a 3-2 pitch, a count he often has struggled with this season. Swinging right-handed, Escobar drilled the 93 mph fastball out to the left-field porch to cut the Mets’ deficit to 5-3. He also homered Friday on a 3-2 pitch.

Eduardo Escobar Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

The 394-foot shot Saturday was even more impressive considering it came against Martin Perez, who had surrendered just two home runs in his first 15 starts this season.

Escobar’s success from both sides of the plate is a sight the Mets have dearly missed since signing the 33-year-old to a two-year, $20 million contract this offseason. Following an All-Star season with the Brewers in 2021, in which he smashed 28 home runs, Escobar’s power had all but disappeared as a Met. His home runs Friday and Saturday were the first he’d recorded since June 6.

After going deep just twice in his first 46 games, Escobar has six home runs over his past 25 contests. Francisco Lindor said he knew it was only a matter of time before the third baseman figured out his issues.

“He works so hard,” Lindor said. “He has been a very consistent player throughout his career, and he’s now getting more comfortable and he’s understanding his roles.”

Escobar’s role on the Mets has diminished in recent weeks due to his struggles. With the sudden emergence of Luis Guillorme, whose reliable bat and even more reliable glove are difficult to remove from the lineup, Escobar’s once sure spot at third is now looking more questionable.

This development, coupled with general manager Billy Eppler’s recently expressed desire to find power hitter who can produce more runs, makes Escobar’s playing time even more uncertain. As long as he keeps hitting the way he has versus the Rangers, however, Escobar should have nothing to worry about.