(TCpalm.com)
Today, in one of the last games at Spring Training, the Mets gave top position prospect Amed Rosario a chance to start at shortstop and flash his potential and he didn’t disappoint. Starting in the middle infield and batting 7th, Rosario looked the part of a big league shortstop going 2 for 4, and flashing some leather.
In the second inning, against Yusmeiro Petit and after a very long home run by Michael Conforto, Rosario pulled a ball to left that looked like it was going out, but died slightly short of the warning track. He returned in the 4th inning to single on a hard ground ball to left field after it looked like Yusmeiro Petit was settling down.
In the 5th, Rosario showed off his strong arm, gunning down Tony Campana, gaining some ooh’s and ahh’s from the fans. He was fooled in the 6th by Oliver Perez and flied out in foul territory, but singled against Bryan Harper in the 8th, when the Mets really needed a baserunner.
In the 9th, Rosario made a highlight-reel play, robbing a liner from Raudy Read.
All around, it was an eye opening experience for the club, showing some promise after putting up a .642 OPS in 2015 at St. Lucie. A bit of souring news occurred during the game as Marc Carig reported Rosario may repeat Port St. Lucie to start.
No, like I said on radio, there’s a chance he doesn’t. Right now, it’s more likely Mets will start Rosario i
n PSL. https://t.co/0LPSqBrH9u
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) March 27, 2016
When asked why, he stated that the Mets want him to start in the heat of Florida, instead of the cold of Northern New York.
My thoughts are that the weather excuse doesn’t make any sense for development. If the Mets believe that Amed is the shortstop of their future, they would have him play in the cold, especially because the team is from New York, and he has to get used to that adversity to play in the Northeast. As the youngest in the league last year, Rosario held his own, but still has things to prove, and he definitely could at Binghamton.
Second, in terms of the shortstop ladder, that doesn’t make sense unless they are planning on having Reynolds start at Triple-A, and making Cecchini start at Double-A(which also doesn’t make sense, considering he is ready for AAA). That would mean the South Atlantic League MVP Luis Guillorme stays at the South Atlantic League, which would be unfair to Luis. Make sure to note this would me my official protest. I’d prefer to see a Cecchini-Rosario-Guillorme-Ramos full-season lineup, and that is what we have projected at so far.
Ted’s Prospect Extras
Other top prospects in today’s full game action:
Jon Mora-0-0
Dominic Smith 0-1
I am not opposed to varying developmental paths, tailoring it to each player only makes sense. The head scratcher about this is the organization has only been aggressive with Rosario, to which he has responded. Putting on the brakes now is counter to that.
I wonder if there is a bit more to it; including A- depth due to Carpio’s injury, and the excess depth at the upper levels.
It would certainly be weird after being aggressive with Rosario last year to pump the brakes even after getting a cup of coffee with Binghamton. Would they really consider putting Cecchini in Bingo to give Reynolds SS at Vegas. I really really hope not, that would be a mistake in my opinion as would be putting Rosario back in St. Lucie.
Have to think Reynolds isn’t being viewed as a long term SS, but even in a utility role there a quite a few MI in the upper minors.
You would have to think not a SS at this point, still questioning why the Mets haven’t had him play 3B/OF.
I think his time at SS was all about Collins getting eyes on the possibility while they decided on Tejada. To which he said he is comfortable with him manning the position, but questioned his bat. I expect him to be wearing numerous gloves in Vegas
Apparently Cecchini isn’t going to AAA for the first couple of weeks either.
Mets R weird.
I hope so, although I will admit Reynolds has looked better defensively than I expected at SS this spring.