Is Escobar best Royals defensive shortstop ever?

It's ridiculously early to ponder this thought, but as we continue to watch Alcides Escobar play spectacularly at shortstop, should we at least consider that he may be the best defensive shortstop to ever wear a Royals uniform? I posed that question Thursday to Royals radio announcer Denny Matthews -- a pretty good source to serve as a Royals historian. "Well, it is so darn early in his career to make such a statement," Matthews said by phone. "He's probably got the best range and he's definitely the most athletic. "Greg Gagne certainly ranks right up there as well as Freddie Patek. Personally, I think Rey Sanchez was up there as well. Rey Sanchez had the best footwork of any Royals shortstop I have seen. His footwork was so good that he never got a bad hop. He played his way into a good hop every time. "Now, Sanchez didn't have the range that Escobar has, but Sanchez knew the hitters so well he didn't need that much range. He was usually in perfect position." But there's no getting around that Escobar has been making the breathtaking play look almost routine, particularly the plays in the deep hole. "You're right, it is almost looking routine," Matthews said. "We're almost expecting him to make those plays now, and let me tell you, they're not that easy. "First of all, for him to even get to some of those balls is amazing. That takes great athleticism. And then, for him to make the throws so accurately is another facet. He goes into the hole as good as anyone I've seen in a Royals uniform. "He also goes to his left just as well, but normally those types of plays don't look as spectacular even though they're just as important." In terms of arm strength, Escobar likely gets the edge there, too. "Gagne had a very strong arm," Matthews said. "A little stronger than Rey's or Freddie's, I think. But I agree, Escobar's is probably stronger." The other type of defensive play that Escobar has wowed fans with is his ability to race into the outfield with his back to the infield and make the difficult over-the-shoulder catch. "Few people realize how hard that play really is," Matthews said. "And that play is so important because it allows your outfielders to play just a little deeper." Whether or not Escobar can be crowned the Royals' best defensive shortstop ever, one thing is certain: On the field, he is a joy to watch. "I didn't know that much about him coming into this year," Matthews said. "But I had taped a three-game series when the Brewers played the Cardinals last year and the one thing that stood out was Escobar's play. It really caught my eye."