Article: TD Midseason Top Prospects: #8 Eddie Rosario

[Cody Christie]

While the Twins roster currently has first-round picks like Byron Buxton, Joe Mauer, and Glen Perkins on it, there are also some picks from further back in the draft. Brian Dozier was an eighth-round pick and Michael Tonkin was a 30th round pick.

 

Eddie Rosario might not have been found as late as Dozier or Tonkin but the Twins have still gotten value out of their 2010 fourth-round pick. He's one of eight players from that fourth round to appear in the big leagues and he's accumulated the third highest WAR despite playing in fewer than 40 games.Age: 23 (DOB: 9/28/91)

2015 Stats (MLB): .283/.308/.424 (.732), 5 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR

(AAA) .242/.280/.379 (.659), 2 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR

ETA: 2015

2014 Preseason Ranking: 5, 2015 Preseason Ranking: 8

 

What's To Like

 

Rosario's best tool has always been his hitting ability. Throughout his younger years in the minors, he made consistent contact and saw brief power outputs, leading the Appalachian League in home runs during his second season. For his minor league career, he's hit .291/.340/.480 while averaging 10 home runs and over 17 doubles per season.

 

After serving a 50-game suspension to start the 2014 season, Rosario struggled with hitting for the first time in his career (.237 in 316 AB). Minnesota sent him to the Arizona Fall League for the second consecutive year and he knocked the cover off the ball. Across 24 games, he batted .330/.345/.410 with four doubles, two triples, 18 RBI and 10 steals. This included going 4-for-5 with a home run and a double in the AFL title game.

 

Before the emergence of Brian Dozier and some other middle infield prospects, the Twins attempted to move Rosario to second base. He has since been moved back to the outfield where he has shown the ability to play all three outfield positions. His strong arm and defense flexibility should help him stick at the big league level.

 

What's Left To Work On

 

As Rosario got closer to the big leagues, in AA-New Britain, his offensive production declined. His on-base percentage dipped below .300 for the first time in his career and his OPS was under .675. With Byron Buxton penciled in as the center fielder, it likely means Rosario will be pushed to a corner outfield spot. This means he will need to hit for a high average and improve his power numbers from recent years.

 

Rosario wasn't exactly pounding down the door to the big leagues when the Twins called him up this season. In 95 at-bats, he was limited to a .242 batting average and a .280 on-base percentage. He had combined for six extra-base hits but these marks were well below his minor league average. Except for his AFL output, his time in the minors hadn't been great since returning from his drug suspension.

 

What's Next

 

Rosario made his big league debut at the beginning of May and he got off to a hot start by hitting .298/.317/.421 with 10 RBI in 18 games. Things have cooled off a little in June but his OBP is still over .300 and his slugging percentage has gone up thanks to seven of his 18 hits being for extra bases. He's spent time in both left and right field and it seems like the Twins could go with an outfield that includes Rosario, Buxton and Hunter for the rest of the season.

 

Rosario's stock has risen higher than some other players who were thought of more highly in recent years. Aaron Hicks and Oswaldo Arcia have showcased their flaws over the last couple of seasons and the Twins seem ready to turn things over to a different crop of young players. If Rosario can continue to produce and play solid defense, there's no reason to think he won't be in a corner outfield spot for the rest of the season.

 

He might never be an All-Star but he has the chance to be a solid everyday player and teams need those types of players to remain competitive.

 

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[Steve Lein]

Eddie has definitely shown he belongs so far. Still things to improve upon, but lots of praise for him doing the little things!

[TRex]

One thing that occurred to me is whether Eddie Rosario is the current version of Jacque Jones (on the field, anyway)!

 

They have a similar profile:

• good outfielder, but would be stretched playing center full time.
• excellent bat-to-ball skills, but...
• poor strike zone judgement.
• surprising pop.
• very aggressive on the bases, but
• not a huge stolen-base threat
• excellent 'team' player

I know a JJ comp. will be seen as damning with faint praise by some, but Jacque was good enough to spend 10 years in a big-league uniform!

[DocBauer]

AND he hits LH. If he is JJ the encore, I'd be very, very happy with that. Just a hunch, but I feel Rosario may have a little bit more power ultimately

[John Kelsey]

 

AND he hits LH. If he is JJ the encore, I'd be very, very happy with that. Just a hunch, but I feel Rosario may have a little bit more power ultimately

 

Jacque hit 24+ homers four times. I'm not sure if I could see Rosario doing that. I do think Rosario is a better fielder though. 

 

Either way, if your #8 prospect turns into Jacque Jones you're probably in good shape. 

[Mike Sixel]

If anyone thinks they have a good idea what this guy will be, well, good luck with that. He's every bit an enigma.

[mori0189]

I like the JJones comp.  I was thinking it in my head as well, and someone beat me too it.  That would be a great left fielder...  Especially at 8 overall on the prospect rankings.

[HitInAPinch]

Rosario is one of those guys who rises to the occasion.  I can see at least double digit HR's, a couple Triples or so, and 30+ Doubles.

 

About his call up:  As I remember it,  It was done because management didn't want to call up Hicks.  Wanted him to really prove himself. 

[d-mac]

 

One thing that occurred to me is whether Eddie Rosario is the current version of Jacque Jones (on the field, anyway)!

 

They have a similar profile:

• good outfielder, but would be stretched playing center full time.
• excellent bat-to-ball skills, but...
• poor strike zone judgement.
• surprising pop.
• very aggressive on the bases, but
• not a huge stolen-base threat
• excellent 'team' player

I know a JJ comp. will be seen as damning with faint praise by some, but Jacque was good enough to spend 10 years in a big-league uniform!

 

Oooooh. Nice comp. I never thought about that. I went and looked at Jacques' stats from back in the day- those two will seem to have similar K/BB ratios, similar BA. However, Jones probably had more power and I think Rosario is likely to steal bases at a better rate when all is said and done.

[Thegrin]

Remember.  Rosario and Sano were Appy League leaders in batting, HR & RBI.

 

Rosario, Sano and Vargas tore threw Beloit together and again in 2013, terrorized at Ft Meyers.  Injuries and bad judgement have separated the 3 of them, but they could be reunited again at Target Field in September (if not sooner).  At least that is my hope.