Alcides Escobar neglects glove, uses bare hand to turn double play

The way Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar plays defense sometimes, you almost get the feeling he wears a glove just to fit in with everyone else, not out of necessity.

Escobar is as adept at using his barehand as any defender in the game today, and it doesn’t really matter if it’s a slow roller, a bouncer, an every day ground ball or even a throw and catch. He can handle them all cleanly, sans glove.

On Thursday, it was more of a routine grounder that he snapped up with his bare hand and fired across to first.

On Saturday, it was of the catch and throw variety, which is by far the most ridiculous.

The play began as a ground ball to second baseman Christian Colon, who was forced to get rid of the ball quickly in hopes of turning the double play. Escobar covered the bag and then snatched the slightly offline toss from at least 20 feet away with his bare hand while attempting to hold the bag. He did, despite the fact he was staring down the barrel at Prince Fielder, and in one motion, fired to first to complete the aesthetically pleasing double play.

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There really are no words to describe its joy, so we’ll just direct you to another look. Outstanding. Really.

Just focus in on Mitch Moreland running to first base, where he is when Escobar catches the ball and the arm strength that would be required on a clean exchange to finish the play. Then consider there was no exchange, he just had to catch and fire, and the throw was perfect.

It’s one of the finest defensive plays we’ll see this season. Escobar not only made it look easy, he made it look like gloves are passe.

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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813