Francisco Del Rosario Stats & Scouting Report

IP	49
ERA	6.061
WHIP	1.776
BB/9	5.327
SO/9	8.449

Full name Francisco Alberto Del Rosario
Born 09/28/1980 in San Rafael Del Yuma, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School San Rafael Del Yuma
Debut 05/06/2006

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Rosario has been a member of the organization for eight seasons and a fixture on this list since his breakout 2002 season, after which he zoomed to No. 4. He tore a ligament in his elbow in the Arizona Fall League that fall, requiring Tommy John surgery that cost him all of 2003 and much of 2004. He has bounced between starting and relieving the last two seasons, and didn't pitch again after experiencing lower back pain in early August. Rosario employs true power stuff: a mid-90s fastball peaking at 98 mph with life, an 85-88 mph slider and a hard split-grip changeup. He located his fastball in the second half in Triple-A, working more aggressively on the inside part of the plate. After pitching tentatively in 2005, he seemed to clear that hurdle both physically and mentally. Despite his experience, Rosario still isn't a finished product. He can't reach his potential as a mid-rotation starter without learning to command his slider. He would benefit from greater focus on the mound. While in the majors, he sometimes overthrew and tried to muscle his way out of jams, which resulted in more hittable pitches. Rosario is out of options, so he'll have to be exposed to waivers if he can't crack Toronto's roster out of spring training. Unless he makes strides with his slider command, he'll probably have to make the club as a middle reliever.
Rosario was just starting to blossom in 2002 when he injured his elbow in the Arizona Fall League and required Tommy John surgery. He hasn't fully recovered the feel for his stuff. The Blue Jays neglected to call him up in 2005 despite the need to bolster their bullpen. Rosario was shifted to the bullpen in August to begin grooming him for a late-inning relief role. He throws his plus fastball at 93-96 mph. To complement his heater, he throws an above-average 86-88 mph changeup with late action and an 85-88 mph slider. All of his pitches were sharper when he worked in relief. Despite his arm strength and velocity, Rosario has a tendency to lose life and command on his fastball. He also lacks feel for his secondary stuff, especially his slider. Some observers think he pitches as if he fears hurting his elbow again. Because he missed the entire 2003 season, Rosario has one option remaining, so he won't have to clear waivers if he doesn't make the big league team in spring training. He should open the season in the Triple-A bullpen.
Rosario emerged as one of the Blue Jays' top pitching prospects with a dominant showing in 2002, but his ascent stalled when he blew out his elbow in the Arizona Fall League that offseason. Tommy John surgery cost him all of 2003, and he returned last May before missing six weeks with an upper-arm injury unrelated to his elbow. Rosario has a loose, easy arm action that helps him fire explosive fastballs in the mid-90s while maintaining solid command. The ball jumps out of his hand from a three-quarters slot, and he creates good sinking life on both his fastball and above-average changeup. Rosario rushes his delivery, causing his arm to drag and his pitches to flatten out. He needs to do a better job of staying on top of his slider for more of a downward tilt through the strike zone. Headed for Triple-A, Rosario has the power stuff to be a top-of-the-rotation starter. He still hasn't quite regained his overpowering form and pinpoint control from 2002.
Rosario was putting the finishing touches on a breakout 2002 season when he felt a pop in his elbow while in the Arizona Fall League. He required Tommy John surgery and missed the entire 2003 season. However, Toronto officials were impressed with his recent showing in instructional league. Before his injury, Rosario threw his fastball from 92-97 mph with exceptional command. While his control wasn't pinpoint after his layoff, club officials were encouraged. He hasn't thrown many changeups since his return, but the ones he has flashed were above-average. Rosario will need time to recover from his elbow reconstruction, as many pitchers struggle to regain their touch and feel in their first season after the surgery. His slurvy breaking ball was his third-best pitch before he got hurt and still needs tightening. Rosario would have been the Jays' No. 1 prospect last year if not for the surgery. He can put himself in position for that honor again if he has a healthy, strong 2004. He'll start at high Class A Dunedin and move to Double-A once the Eastern League's weather improves.
Rosario spent his first two years as a reliever in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League, then struggled in 2001 in his first effort as a starter. Everything game together in 2002 until he blew out his elbow in the Arizona Fall League. Rosario harnessed his power stuff, dominating two Class A levels with a 92-97 mph fastball, two variations on a plus changeup, and a breaking ball with slurvy action that at times was a plus pitch. Rosario's smallish frame proved unable to hold up under the torque he placed on his arm. He had reconstructive surgery and bone chips removed from his elbow. Full recovery from Tommy John surgery usually takes 12-18 months, and the Jays will proceed with caution with Rosario. If healthy, he might have ranked atop this list. Toronto officials compare his situation to that of Billy Koch, who had the same procedure in 1997 and came back as a closer. When Rosario returns in 2004, his career could take the same path.

Minor League Top Prospects

Rosario has teased the Blue Jays in the past three years. His stock soared in 2002 when he went 9-4, 1.88 with 143 strikeouts between two Class A stops. He had Tommy John surgery that cost him all of 2003, and showed flashes of returning to form this summer. He joined New Hampshire in mid May but missed six weeks with an upper arm injury unrelated to his elbow. He finished strong, though, tossing seven-inning outings without an earned runs in each of his last two regular season starts. He needs to rediscover his feel for pitching. He was inconsistent with his mechanics and his stuff came and went. He touched 96 mph in August and pitched between 92-94 mph. His slider, curveball and changeup are all at times major league quality pitches. He showed more toughness on the mound this season and fields his position well.
Few hitters shed tears when Rosario was promoted to high Class A Dunedin in mid-June. He overpowered the SAL with a fastball clocked as high as 96 mph that sat at 92-94. He also threw a nasty breaking ball with a tight spin that many managers called a slurve. Rosario has good arm speed on his changeup. He possesses outstanding athleticism for a pitcher with excellent defensive skills and a quick delivery to the plate. He's a complete package, and several skippers couldn't stop raving about the movement of his fastball. "He's a special guy who is not afraid to throw any of his pitches at any time in the count," Augusta manager Arnie Beyeler said. "The thing I like most about him is the way he really turned it up a notch when he got into trouble. He didn't run and hide like some guys try to do."
Rosario emerged as an intriguing pitching prospect at low Class A Charleston in the first half, then solidified his status as one of the best arms in the minors after his promotion to Dunedin. He made significant strides in all phases of his game. "He keeps getting better," an American League scout said. "The stuff is the same, but he's learning how to pitch a little better. He is improving his English and learning situations in the game." Rosario throws 92-97 mph gas, a developing slider and a pair of devastating changeups. Pevey liked his ability and moxie to throw a 3-0 changeup for a strike, while Dunedin pitching coach Hector Barrios described Rosario as a power pitcher with the feel of a finesse pitcher.