6. Amed Rosario, SS
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 170
Born: 11/20/1995 (Age 18)
Bat/Throws Right/Right
Contact: 30/60 Power: 30/60 Run: 55/55 Arm: 60/60 Fielding: 40/60
You want that prospect you can dream on? 18 – Year Old Amed Rosario is that guy. The sky’s the limit on the young Dominican Shortstop Prospect from Central Santo Domingo who signed as a 16 year old in 2012 for $1.75 Million. The son of a lawyer and a Judge provides not just a talented package but intelligent as well, considering he received his high school diplomat before he signed. Everyone glows about him, and his potential. He sports projections of “sky’s the limit” in many people’s eyes, boasting potential 5-tool talent at the premium position of Shortstop.
Even though he hit .241 with 3 homers in Rookie-ball Kingsport, Baseball America rated Rosario as the #1 Prospect in the Appalachian League almost unanimously. He is also a top 10 prospect on a host of other sites:
#7 ahead of both first rounders Cecchini and Nimmo on Baseball America.
John Sickels rates him as his #8 on his top 10 list on Minor League Ball,
#5 on Bleacher Report.
Fangraphs rated Amed Rosario #4 on the Mets Top 10
Baseball America said in their Appalachian League report that while he didn’t do well, scouts was essentially glowing about his athleticism. Last Year, coaches at spring training raved about him to me. One coach said he reminded him of Juan Gonzalez.
He has above-average bat speed, great athleticism, a strong arm, and runs at an above-average pace. He can defend well, and is young enough to improve into a good defender down the road. He also has great makeup, and is a great guy to talk to, according to teammates, who also rave about his ability.
While Jeffrey Paternostro of Amazin’ Avenue and Toby Hyde of Mets Minor League Blog both give lesser scouting reports due to his swing having holes, I’m going to point to the fact that while he likely had a trainer as an amateur, he is only 18 years old and has plenty of time to fix these holes in his swing as he moves up the ladder.
Scouting reports that Rosario could hit 20-25 home runs, and put up an average around the .280-.300 mark in the Majors, while playing at least average to above-average defense, and a possible decent running game. His hitting could put him in the middle of the order of a major league lineup.
Prospect Outlook: Rosario will possibly be one of the very youngest at his level this coming year. His level, to many people’s suggestion, will probably be on the Short-Season Class-A Brooklyn Cyclones. Rosario has a bright, bright future if he can improve parts of his game, such as some holes in his swing, better infield instincts, and learn to drive the ball. But he’s 18 and these problems can be improved with age and experience. Caution though, he is still very far away from the Major Leagues, so a lot can happen between then and now, but be sure to put him on your radar.
ETA: 2017 at the earliest.
MMN Top 40 Prospects
(Photo: Baseball America)
