Gabriel Rosa Stats & Scouting Report

AB	524
AVG	.198
OBP	.281
SLG	.317
HR	11

Full name Gabriel Antonio Rosa
Born 07/02/1993 in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Colegio Hector Urdaneta
Drafted in the 2nd round (84th overall) by the Cincinnati Reds in 2011 (signed for $500,000).

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The top position player in Puerto Rico in 2011, Rosa has committed to Bethune-Cookman. Scouts didn't expect him to reach college, though, as he has enough present tools to go out in the first four rounds. Two scouts compared him to former big league outfielder Juan Encarnacion for his rangy frame and solid all-around tools. He has a loose body with projection and should fill out his 6-foot-4, 180-pound frame. Some scouts believe he'll have to move to a corner, while others believe the current shortstop can stay in center field. He has solid raw power and is a plus runner, though he's no burner. Rosa has bad timing habits that tend to cause him to lead with his shoulder and open up too early in his swing in an attempt to pull the ball. His swing path has some inconsistencies as well, and he doesn't keep his bat in the hitting zone long enough. Rosa's arm plays average.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

After a promising pro debut, Rosa endured a lost year in 2012. A torn labrum in his hip forced him to shut it down after just 21 games, and he wasn't healthy in time for instructional league and may not be ready for spring training. When healthy, Rosa has shown promising tools, but his approach at the plate needs work. His leg kick is too pronounced to survive against pro pitchers, as it forces him to commit too early. It makes him vulnerable to offspeed pitches and makes it hard to lay off pitches out of the zone. With his 6-foot-4 frame, he has plenty of power potential if he can make enough contact. Rosa could be average defensively at third base, and he played shortstop well enough that the Reds may let him stay there in the short-term. With above-average speed, he could play outfield as well. He played one game in left field last year and could even be a center fielder if he doesn't fill out too much. His plus arm would also work in right field. Rosa has to show he's healthy before Cincinnati can assess where he'll play in 2013, but Billings seems a likely spot for a return trip.
The top Puerto Rican position prospect for the 2011 draft, Rosa went 84th overall and turned down a commitment to Bethune-Cookman to sign for an above-slot $500,000. Rosa has good raw power for his age, and he has the frame to get bigger and stronger. But he was picked apart by pitchers in the Rookie-level Arizona League because of his long stride and long swing. Like many young power hitters, he tries to pull the ball too much and needs to learn to go the other way when pitchers work the outer half of the plate. Rosa played outfield and shortstop as an amateur, then saw time exclusively at third base in his pro debut. He has plus arm strength, though his long release means his arm grades out only average. If he can't stick at third base, he projects as a potential right fielder. He currently has slightly above-average speed and he has a good feel for running the bases, though he'll probably lose a step as he fills out. Considering his youth and his struggles in the AZL, Rosa figures to open 2012 in extended spring training before heading to Billings in June.

Minor League Top Prospects

The top position player in Puerto Rico this spring, Rosa paralleled Santana by going in the second round and moving from shortstop to third base when he entered pro ball. Rosa was hitting just .156 in early August before finishing strong to improve his final numbers to .245/.314/.406. Rosa has a quick bat and lots of strength, giving him considerable power potential. His swing can get long and he can get pull-happy. He needs to refine his approach rather than trying to hit every pitch out of the park. Rosa has the toold to be a solid third baseman, as he has good actions and a strong arm. He'll have to improve his footwork to get more accuracy on his throws. He runs well enough that some scouts who saw him as an amateur projected him as a center fielder.