Article: TD Top Prospects: #5 Eddie Rosario

[tobi0040]

As a hitter, I'm much higher on Arcia. As a complete player, that has to field....well, I'm not sure yet.

 

That is a fair point. If you have an OF of Buxton and Hicks you can probably live with Arcia in the OF, otherwise a DH.

[oldguy10]

Mentioned in this thread is that the Twins have no decent shortstop prospects, however I count three at least with varying degrees of ability, Santana, Polanco and Goodrum, who knows if any of them will be decent down the road or not but at least they are in the organization.

[halfchest]

Re: Arcia's defense.

 

I know he didn't look good out there this year but I'm still expecting some improvement from him. Will he ever be a plus defender? I doubt it but I think he could be average. He's got some speed at least and he actually played some CF in the minors which makes me think he's got to be better than what we saw last year. He was also playing LF most instead of RF where he spent most of his time in the minors. In fact when checking it quickly, I also noticed that he has played twice as many games in CF than he has in the LF. So stick him in right next year and see if he improves.

[chuchadoro]

I think it's weed. He says it was painkillers.

 

Eddie should know that weed has no place in baseball since the "Amphetamine Era" was courageously ended by MLB after a short 60 year reign as the player's drug of choice. Also, how did Eddie get busted? Did Selig pay off Eddie's dealer to acquire his records?

 

On a more serious note, Eddie has made a few mistakes but isn't deserving of the sanctimonious tsk-tsking that sometimes follows these stories. I'm not too concerned he's going to become a Tampa Bay-era Josh Hamilton. Also, Rosario should stick at 2nd until if/when it's absolutely clear he can't play there. Rosario could adjust to a corner OF spot very quickly. He's not going to look like a meandering Parmelee just because he spent an extra year or two at 2nd.

[jokin]

Mentioned in this thread is that the Twins have no decent shortstop prospects, however I count three at least with varying degrees of ability, Santana, Polanco and Goodrum, who knows if any of them will be decent down the road or not but at least they are in the organization.

 

Polanco could very well be the guy that takes Dozier's spot away from him- probably not a SS. Santana appears that he will be a slightly better version of Florimon and takes the job away by default. Goodrum spent 3 years in Rookie ball- a red flag?, but he did have a very decent year at Cedar Rapids, Sickels took a liking to him and his athleticism- "2nd only to Buxton". which intrigued me quite a bit when I saw him play and I couldn't argue with Sickels on that point . A 6'4" athletic SS with a strong arm and good plate discipline is well worth keeping an eye on as he moves up to Fort Myers.

 

Call out to Jim Crikket for his more knowledgeable review of Niko.

[birddog]

I have read that Santana, Polanco, and Goodrum--all excellent prospects--are much more likely to end up at 2B than at SS. I certainly hope that is not the case.

[Cris E]

A real SS prospect would be very welcome. All the guys mentioned there are glove-first, maybe-enough-bat or probably-a-2B guys rather than genuine top shelf SS talent. Eventually one of Hicks and Rosario should be packed up and send out for a solid SS.

 

A lot will ride on if missing a third of this season affects Eddie's progress at 2B. He's still got work to do and if he wants to be part of the action in 2015 this was a really bad time to sit out.

[cmathewson]

I think he ends up in LF at some point. Here's a hypothetical lineup in 2017:

 

1. Buxton (8)

2. Rosario (7)

3. Mauer (3)

4. Sano (5)

5. Arcia (DH)

6. Pinto (2)

7. Polanco (4)

8. Turner (6)

9. Hicks (9)

[jokin]

I think he ends up in LF at some point. Here's a hypothetical lineup in 2017:

 

1. Buxton (8)

2. Rosario (7)

3. Mauer (3)

4. Sano (5)

5. Arcia (DH)

6. Pinto (2)

7. Polanco (4)

8. Turner (6)

9. Hicks (9)

 

Turner at SS ought to be ineresting. But I think the rest of your prediction is quite likely.

[tobi0040]

I think he ends up in LF at some point. Here's a hypothetical lineup in 2017:

 

1. Buxton (8)

2. Rosario (7)

3. Mauer (3)

4. Sano (5)

5. Arcia (DH)

6. Pinto (2)

7. Polanco (4)

8. Turner (6)

9. Hicks (9)

 

That looks like a $35-40M lineup, at least for a little while. Makes you wonder what kind of a rotation we can put together with Nolasco here and potentially Meyer/Kohl/Gibson, etc. under control. Assuming two of those three stick, we could sign two very good pitchers to complete the rotation.

 

Definitely very early, but if Turner's write up is accurate, I think that guy is gone prior to us picking. Very good defensively and will stick at SS, good on the bases, hit for average with some pop.

[cmathewson]

That looks like a $35-40M lineup, at least for a little while. Makes you wonder what kind of a rotation we can put together with Nolasco here and potentially Meyer/Kohl/Gibson, etc. under control. Assuming two of those three stick, we could sign two very good pitchers to complete the rotation.

 

Definitely very early, but if Turner's write up is accurate, I think that guy is gone prior to us picking. Very good defensively and will stick at SS, good on the bases, hit for average with some pop.

 

Yeah, I chose Turner because I couldn't see the shortstop of the future within the organization. I've seen mock drafts with him slipping as far as sixth. Fingers crossed.

[jokin]

Yeah, I chose Turner because I couldn't see the shortstop of the future within the organization. I've seen mock drafts with him slipping as far as sixth. Fingers crossed.

 

Any word on who is agent might be? If he's clearly the BPA, I hope they pick him, but I could see the Twins missing out on signing him if it's someone like Boras representing him, ala Appel.

[Jim Crikket]

Call out to Jim Crikket for his more knowledgeable review of Niko.

 

Goodrum could be a bit of a tweener. He's still pretty slender so you wonder if his body will fill out more, even at his age (almost 22). If it doesn't, will he always trail Dozier/Polanco/Rosario in terms of XBHs? If he does fill in, will he "outgrow" SS and need to move to 3B? Will say I agree on the athleticism. He looks like he gets good jumps when he does steal and has decent speed.

 

If the organization is set on making Polanco a SS, I'm not sure how Goodrum gets innings at the position this year since they should both probably be with the Miracle. Going to be intersting to see how this plays out.

[tobi0040]

Any word on who is agent might be? If he's clearly the BPA, I hope they pick him, but I could see the Twins missing out on signing him if it's someone like Boras representing him, ala Appel.

 

Like I said before, I am putting stock in a scouting report here and it is early. But I read 80 speed (57 SB as a freshman). Arm for 3B but footwork for SS, will likely stick there. Profiles as a 12 HR a year guy, enough extra base hits.

 

.336/.432/.459 as a freshman

.393/.476/.613 as a sophomore

 

If these reports are accurate, he will likely challenge Rodon or be a clear #2 pick. I would more than welcome a slip to #5.

 

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2013/10/25/5022056/2014-mlb-draft-profile-trea-turner-ss-n-c-state

[Dantes929]

Of course he was ranked #4 in the upcoming draft. They say this draft is really deep though so we should get someone good anyway. When Sano was ranked the #2 prospect there were two shortstops in the top 5 I would have been happy to trade him for though we have had as many issues at 3rd as we have at short in the recent memory.

[jokin]

Like I said before, I am putting stock in a scouting report here and it is early. But I read 80 speed (57 SB as a freshman). Arm for 3B but footwork for SS, will likely stick there. Profiles as a 12 HR a year guy, enough extra base hits.

 

.336/.432/.459 as a freshman

.393/.476/.613 as a sophomore

 

If these reports are accurate, he will likely challenge Rodon or be a clear #2 pick. I would more than welcome a slip to #5.

 

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2013/10/25/5022056/2014-mlb-draft-profile-trea-turner-ss-n-c-state

 

I am aware of how good Turner is and I'm looking forward to the chance of snagging him in the draft.... and I don't dispute your assessment, whatsoever. But there have been rumblings that he could drop a little in the draft, whether that's primarily because of other players (pitchers besides Rodon?) moving up or if the leverage he has as a junior might be used to force himself onto a team more to his liking and a much-higher-than-slot bonus.

[jokin]

Goodrum could be a bit of a tweener. He's still pretty slender so you wonder if his body will fill out more, even at his age (almost 22). If it doesn't, will he always trail Dozier/Polanco/Rosario in terms of XBHs? If he does fill in, will he "outgrow" SS and need to move to 3B? Will say I agree on the athleticism. He looks like he gets good jumps when he does steal and has decent speed.

 

If the organization is set on making Polanco a SS, I'm not sure how Goodrum gets innings at the position this year since they should both probably be with the Miracle. Going to be intersting to see how this plays out.

 

Thanks JC. Let me add this intriguing extra tidbit on Goodrum from your PM to me:

 

"Has some range and decent speed. Gets a good jump (better than Buxton, honestly) when he does try to steal a base."

 

So it appears that the jury is going to be out on all 3 of the top SS prospects for the time being- 2 "tweeners" and one "Florimon +??" Very interesting indeed, both longer-term on who might win out, but also with the draft coming up and Turner available.

[Beezer]

I think he ends up in LF at some point. Here's a hypothetical lineup in 2017:

 

1. Buxton (8)

2. Rosario (7)

3. Mauer (3)

4. Sano (5)

5. Arcia (DH)

6. Pinto (2)

7. Polanco (4)

8. Turner (6)

9. Hicks (9)

 

I think that Target Field makes a late 80's Cardinals type team a better option. Guys with high onbase % and steals may play better than long ball and it can still translate to other ballparks. With the crackdown on PED's the long ball is becoming less a part of the game and small ball is coming back. Speed guys in Buxton, Rosario, Hicks, Polanco, with possible bombers Sano and Arcia might turn out allright.

[DocBauer]

Goodrum could be a bit of a tweener. He's still pretty slender so you wonder if his body will fill out more, even at his age (almost 22). If it doesn't, will he always trail Dozier/Polanco/Rosario in terms of XBHs? If he does fill in, will he "outgrow" SS and need to move to 3B? Will say I agree on the athleticism. He looks like he gets good jumps when he does steal and has decent speed.

 

If the organization is set on making Polanco a SS, I'm not sure how Goodrum gets innings at the position this year since they should both probably be with the Miracle. Going to be intersting to see how this plays out.

 

My guess that they will rotate Polanco at SS on Goodrum's days off, as well as each of them rotating between 2B as well.

 

I have to believe Turner would be an instant grab for the Twins to grab if available, and if he continues to shine. But the draft is still way off, and players rise and fall in value before then. Despite questions as to our SS prospects, they themselves will no doubt answer some of those questions with the season ahead. While Turner would seem a tantalizing pick, in the unsure world of draftable prospects, I subscribe, usually, to the BPA, and don't agree necessarily with drafting just by position.

 

Further, I'd keep Rosario at 2B just as long as possible to see what kind of 2B potential we truly have there. He could undoubtedly flip back to the OF very easily if he can't play the position well enough, or is blocked by Dozier, or someone else. Further, if he proves himself at the position well enough, he provides either greater trade value, or allows Dozier to perhaps being traded.

 

And while I have great faith that Hicks will yet prove himself as an excellent defensive corner OF who can fill in at CF, and provide power and speed, and feel the rather athletic Arcia will continue to improve to at least decent in the OF, Rosario is a very talented OF option should Hicks not cut it, or Arcia need to be moved to DH and part time OF.

 

As an OF, Rosario may never provide the true HR power one hopes for in a corner OF, however, his overall game/talent level would indicate an exciting player with multiple skills who can cover a lot of ground, hit, spray various XB hits, take extra bases and steal bases. If his OB can improve even a little, with his skill set, he could be a valuable top of the order player, and at worst, a dangerous lower spot hitter regardless of position.

 

I have doubts he will hit 20 plus HR as he did early in his career, but don't forget his quick hands and athleticism, as well as his youth and rather rapid ascension up the milb latter. You might yet see better power once he acclimates to his level.

 

And as a side note, with all due respect to the talent and abilities of Santana and Polanco, and by no means dismissing them as potential quality offensive as well as defensive SS's, Goodrum just might surpass anyone in the system at SS. He is one of my "picks to click" on the milb level this year. He doesn't need to explode in to his frame, just muscle up a bit more, and have the proverbial light start to come on. Something I think we began to see last season.

[jokin]

My guess that they will rotate Polanco at SS on Goodrum's days off, as well as each of them rotating between 2B as well.

 

I have to believe Turner would be an instant grab for the Twins to grab if available, and if he continues to shine. But the draft is still way off, and players rise and fall in value before then. Despite questions as to our SS prospects, they themselves will no doubt answer some of those questions with the season ahead. While Turner would seem a tantalizing pick, in the unsure world of draftable prospects, I subscribe, usually, to the BPA, and don't agree necessarily with drafting just by position.

 

Further, I'd keep Rosario at 2B just as long as possible to see what kind of 2B potential we truly have there. He could undoubtedly flip back to the OF very easily if he can't play the position well enough, or is blocked by Dozier, or someone else. Further, if he proves himself at the position well enough, he provides either greater trade value, or allows Dozier to perhaps being traded.

 

And while I have great faith that Hicks will yet prove himself as an excellent defensive corner OF who can fill in at CF, and provide power and speed, and feel the rather athletic Arcia will continue to improve to at least decent in the OF, Rosario is a very talented OF option should Hicks not cut it, or Arcia need to be moved to DH and part time OF.

 

As an OF, Rosario may never provide the true HR power one hopes for in a corner OF, however, his overall game/talent level would indicate an exciting player with multiple skills who can cover a lot of ground, hit, spray various XB hits, take extra bases and steal bases. If his OB can improve even a little, with his skill set, he could be a valuable top of the order player, and at worst, a dangerous lower spot hitter regardless of position.

 

I have doubts he will hit 20 plus HR as he did early in his career, but don't forget his quick hands and athleticism, as well as his youth and rather rapid ascension up the milb latter. You might yet see better power once he acclimates to his level.

 

And as a side note, with all due respect to the talent and abilities of Santana and Polanco, and by no means dismissing them as potential quality offensive as well as defensive SS's,

 

Goodrum just might surpass anyone in the system at SS. He is one of my "picks to click" on the milb level this year. He doesn't need to explode in to his frame, just muscle up a bit more, and have the proverbial light start to come on.

Something I think we began to see last season.

 

Well said Doc, and pretty much where I stand on Turner, but I also think that Goodrum is due for a break out and this could be the year. Hopefully Michael gets pushed up to AA for one last chance and Goodrum and Polanco can start out in Ft Myers and ride the wave together up the organizational ladder pushing each other and inevitably pushing others out of their way.