Eddie Rosario

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Minnesota Twins #10 prospect in 2015
  The Twins now view Rosario as the third-most prominent Puerto Rico product in the organization, behind righthander Jose Berrios and slugger Kennys Vargas. A 50-game suspension for violating baseball's recreational drug policy wiped out Rosario's first two months in 2014, and he struggled uncharacteristically once he returned. Rosario's hit tool ranks among the best in the system. He generates outstanding bat speed and plate coverage, flashing his hands through the zone and generating gap power, and he projects to hit a dozen or more home runs. Selectivity remains an issue. Defensively, his footwork and range still need work at second base, where he logged just 18 games in 2014, but in the outfield he takes good routes and shows an above-average arm. A slightly above-average runner at his best, Rosario has been successful on just 54 percent of his stolen-base attempts the past three seasons. Rosario was added to the 40-man roster this winter. With the Twins' outfield situation unsettled, Rosario's best chance to reach the majors in a hurry could be in left field to replace the traded Josh Willingham.
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  Ranked Minnesota Twins #6 prospect in 2014
  Rosario moved to second base full-time in 2013 after starting his pro career as a center fielder. He overcame a 2012 mishap when he missed seven weeks after a line drive hit him in the face during batting practice (a plate was inserted above his lip). Former big league manager Edwin Rodriguez raved about Rosario's potential while managing him for Puerto Rico in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, where Rosario went 3-for-14. In stints in both the Arizona Fall and Puerto Rican leagues, he played both second and the outfield corners. Considered the best hitter for average in the Twins system aside from Byron Buxton, Rosario generates excellent bat speed and plate coverage. Though he holds his hands low at the set-up, he flashes them quickly through the hitting zone, generating solid gap power. He doesn't project to hit more than 15 home runs a season in the majors. After reaching Double-A New Britain, he chased more pitches than normal and got himself into some slumps. He has put in long hours on his defense and has made tremendous strides at second. He goes back on popups as well as any infielder the Twins have had in recent years, but his footwork, particularly around the bag, still needs work. His range has improved as he better understands positioning, and his arm is above-average for second. A slightly above-average runner, Rosario goes first to third well but isn't an efficient basestealer. He will give Double-A another go in 2014.
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  Ranked Minnesota Twins #8 prospect in 2013
  Rosario led the Appalachian League with 21 homers in 2011 and won co-MVP honors as an outfielder. The Twins tried him at second base that fall in instructional league, and he played 67 of his 86 games in the field there in 2012. He missed nearly seven weeks after a batting-practice line drive hit him in the face in mid-June, requiring the insertion of a plate above his lip, but he played well after his return. Rosario uses his hands well in his swing and has excellent plate coverage. His hands are low in his set-up but quick through the hitting zone. Though he has slugged .538 in the lower minors, scouts and club officials expect him to settle in around 10-15 homers at higher levels because he has a line-drive swing and gap-to-gap approach. Rosario's average speed and range are less than ideal for center field, and scouts question whether his hands and throwing are good enough for second base. Minnesota has had him focus on making the routine play and turning the double play, but he'll need more work to be an average defender. Rosario will stay in the infield as he moves up to high Class A. He's a bit of a tweener if he has to go back to the outfield, so the Twins will give him every chance to remain at second base.
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  Ranked Minnesota Twins #3 prospect in 2012
  Though he had a strong debut in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2010, Rosario wasn't assigned to a full-season roster to start 2011, instead languishing in extended spring training. He couldn't have been more ready for the Appalachian League, winning co-MVP honors while leading the circuit in runs (71), triples (nine), homers (21, three shy of the Appy record), total bases (181) and slugging (.670). The Twins love Rosario's swing and were less surprised by his batting average than by his power. He's balanced at the plate, has above-average bat speed and a short swing with surprising strength, helping him drive the ball from pole to pole. While he's not a slugger, he should have average to plus power down the line. Rosario has above-average speed as well, though his baserunning lacks polish. He shows average range and arm strength in center field, and he encouraged Minnesota with his play after moving to second base in instructional league. Rosario will need repetitions at second, but his arm, athleticism and quickness give him a chance to stay there. He'll report to spring training as a second baseman ticketed for Beloit this year. If it all works out, the Twins will have their best offensive second baseman since Chuck Knoblauch.
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  Ranked Minnesota Twins #21 prospect in 2011
  Rosario was the highest-drafted player out of Puerto Rico in 2010, signing with Minnesota for $200,000 in the fourth round. He immediately started tearing up the Gulf Coast League, with three hits and a home run in his first start. His hitting success in the GCL wasn't unexpected, because scouts rated him as Puerto Rico's top amateur hitter heading into the draft. He has a short swing and a polished, professional approach at the plate, which along with his batting stance attract comparisons to Bobby Abreu. Rosario has average power and his other tools came a bit better than advertised, and he's not just a high-contact, high-average hitter. While most scouts who saw him as an amateur projected him as a right fielder with a plus throwing arm, the Twins see him sticking in center field. He has a tick above-average speed and has good instincts, helping his quickness play up in the outfield and on the bases. He succeeded in his first 17 steal attempts as a pro before wearing down and slowing down a bit late in the summer. Rosario will have to make adjustments at higher levels to get better at hitting lefthanders, but it's nothing he can't handle with experience. His polish could allow him to skip past Elizabethton and reach Beloit sometime in his first full pro season.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Florida State League #12 prospect in 2013
  The Twins converted Rosario from center field to second base in instructional league in 2011, and he spent most of 2012 at second while still playing some outfield. He was a full-time second sacker in 2013 and remains a fringy defender, though he?s improved at making the routine play. He made just four errors in 52 FSL games, and scouts believe he has the athletic ability and work ethic to be a playable, if not average, defender there. Few scouts question Rosario?s bat. He has strong wrists, a quick bat and line-drive power to the gaps. He trusts his hands and hangs in well against lefthanders, and he?s quick enough to turn on good fastballs. He?s a plus runner, though basestealing won?t be a significant part of his game. Rosario plays with confidence at the plate and has growing confidence in the field.
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  Ranked Midwest League #12 prospect in 2012
  Rosario sustained one of the scariest injuries in the MWL this year, getting smoked in the face by a line drive during batting practice on June 12. He had surgery to insert a plate above his lip and missed seven weeks. He showed no ill effects when he returned, batting .301/.316/.516. Rosario has nice feel for hitting, especially for a youngster. He has strong hands and a quick bat, works counts, uses the whole field and catches up to quality fastballs. Though he topped the Rookie-level Appalachian League with 21 homers in 2011, he holds his hands low and has a relatively flat swing, so he may top out around 15 homers annually in the majors. A full-time center fielder a year ago, Rosario saw most of his action at second base in 2012. While he worked diligently on his defense, scouts don't think his hands, range or throwing are good enough for second base. His average speed may not bode well for a long-term fit in center field either.
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  Ranked American League #5 prospect in 2011
  Rosario rated as Puerto Rico's top pure hitter for the 2010 draft, and he continued to draw accolades while winning Appy League co-player of the year honors. He led the league in runs (71), triples (nine), homers (21), total bases (181) and slugging (.670) while finishing second in hits (91), extra-base hits (39) and RBIs (60). In the batter's box, Rosario showed bat speed, the ability to make adjustments and power to all fields. "You feel like that even if you blindfolded him, he'd still go 4-for-4," Bluefield manager Dennis Holmberg said. In fact, Rosario went 11-for-26 (.423) with two homers in six games against the Blue Jays. He offers a full complement of tools and projects as a solid across-the-board contributor with a chance to stick in center. He's a steady defender with an average arm, though he comes in on the ball better than he goes back. He's not a burner, but he picks his spots to steal bases.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Rosario led the Appalachian League with 21 homers in 2011 and won co-MVP honors as an outfielder. The Twins tried him at second base that fall in instructional league, and he played 67 of his 86 games in the field there in 2012. He missed nearly seven weeks after a batting-practice line drive hit him in the face in mid-June, requiring the insertion of a plate above his lip, but he played well after his return. Scouting Report: Rosario uses his hands well in his swing and has excellent plate coverage. His hands are low in his setup but quick through the hitting zone. Though he has slugged .538 in the lower minors, scouts and club officials expect him to settle in around 10-15 homers at higher levels because he has a line-drive swing and gap-to-gap approach. Rosario's average speed and range are less than ideal for center field, and scouts question whether his hands and throwing are good enough for second base. Minnesota has had him focus on making the routine play and turning the double play, but he'll need more work to be an average defender. The Future: Rosario will stay in the infield as he moves up to high Class A. He's a bit of a tweener if he has to go back to the outfield, so the Twins will give him every chance to remain at second base.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Though he had a strong debut in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2010, Rosario wasn't assigned to a full-season roster to start 2011, instead languishing in extended spring training. He couldn't have been more ready for the Appalachian League, winning co-MVP honors while leading the circuit in runs (71), triples (nine), homers (21, three shy of the Appy record), total bases (181) and slugging (.670). Scouting Report: The Twins love Rosario's swing and were less surprised by his batting average than by his power. He's balanced at the plate, has above-average bat speed and a short swing with surprising strength, helping him drive the ball from pole to pole. While he's not a slugger, he should have average to plus power down the line. Rosario has above-average speed as well, though his baserunning lacks polish. He shows average range and arm strength in center field, and he encouraged Minnesota with his play after moving to second base in instructional league. The Future: Rosario will need repetitions at second base, but his arm, athleticism and quickness give him a chance to stay there. He'll report to spring training as an infielder and is expected to play second base at Beloit this year. If it all works out, the Twins will have their best offensive second baseman since Chuck Knoblauch.