Article: Salt River Rafters Claim AFL Title Behind Bat of Eddie Rosario

[Seth Stohs]

The Arizona Fall League season came to a close with the championship game on Saturday, with the West Division champion Peoria Javelinas facing the East Division champion Salt River Rafters, the team for which Minnesota Twins prospects play.The teams traded haymakers inning after inning in Scottsdale, AZ, with seven total home runs and twenty-one runs scored.

 

Eddie Rosario got the festivities started for the Rafters, launching a 1-1 pitch deep over the right field fence off Peoria starter Miguel Almonte of the Kansas City Royals for an early 1-0 lead.

 

In his next at-bat in the third inning, Rosario brought in the the third Rafters run with a hard ground ball single to centerfield, scoring Joe Sclafini. He would end up being picked off a batter later, but the damage was done.

 

Peoria took the lead 6-3 after scoring three runs in each of the fourth and fifth innings, but the Rafters kept pace with two of their own in each of the fifth and sixth.

 

In the bottom of the fifth, with the score 6-5, Rosario faced a tough lefty in the person of Royals farmhand Daniel Stumpf, and proceeded to drill another hard ground ball to center for his third hit in three at-bats.

 

The Twins' Taylor Rogers came in to start the sixth inning for Salt River, and gave up a home run to the first batter he faced, Royals outfield prospect Bubba Starling. However, he retired the next five hitters, before Reid Redman was brought in to face Hunter Dozier, also of the Royals, to end the top of the seventh.

 

It was the bottom half of the 7th inning when the Rafters blew the game open, and Rosario again played a large part. His double on the first pitch he saw one-hopped the right field wall, putting runners on second and third. An intentional walk brought Max Kepler to the plate.

 

Kepler quickly fell behind 0-2, but laid off four consecutive pitches in the dirt and drew an RBI walk to score the inning's first run. He was 0-4 for the game with the walk, RBI,and run scored.

 

With runners on first and second and two outs, after six more runs had scored in the frame, Rosario got another chance. On an 0-2 pitch, he put good wood on the ball. Unfortunately, this line drive was snared by the rightfielder to end the inning.

 

The eighth and ninth innings were uneventful, and Rosario, Kepler, Rogers and the rest of the Twins prospects and Rafters roster celebrated the victory.

 

Rosario finished the game 4-5 and just a triple shy of the cycle, with two runs scored and two RBI, to obviously take home (my) player of the game honors.

 

Congratulations to Eddie Rosario, Max Kepler, Byron Buxton, Jason Adam, Zack Jones, Jake Reed and Taylor Rogers on their AFL Championship. Each player will receive a championship ring. It will be the second ring of the year for Kepler and Jones who were also on the Florida State League champion Ft. Myers Miracle.

 

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[Halsey Hall]

That's nice, good for those guys.  And spring is right around the corner, isn't it?

[Seth Stohs]

Here is video of the Eddie Rosario home run today. 

[James Richter]

By my calculations, that makes Rosario's overall slashes in 485 minor league PA this year .268/.305/.406. Good enough for AAA, or should he contribute to the stacking of Chattanooga?

[ScottyB]

Eddie looked great!  I hope he goes to Chattanooga along with Dougie Baseball and they win another title.  I think Eddie could be ready to play CF at Target Field by Memorial Day!

[Seth Stohs]

By my calculations, that makes Rosario's overall slashes in 485 minor league PA this year .268/.305/.406. Good enough for AAA, or should he contribute to the stacking of Chattanooga?

 

I think he moves up to Rochester, though it would be fun to see him in the lineup with Chattanooga too. 

[jokin]

I think he moves up to Rochester, though it would be fun to see him in the lineup with Chattanooga too. 

 

Send him to AA.  The spring weather is much better in the Southern League, which in turn will be more conducive to getting him ready to get the call to Minnesota, and besides, that's where all of the impact position prospects are likely to be to start out the season.

[jokin]

Rosario sure got a heap of love on MLB.com, and he had a nice set of AFL splits in his SSS, nice jump-off to 2015.  Here's just a sample that closed out the article:

 

 

...Rosario was a constant presence this fall. The youngster batted .340 (17-for-50) with the bases empty and .320 (16-for-50) with runners on during the AFL's season, and he hit .333 (9-for-27) against left-handers and .329 (24-for-73) against right-handed pitchers.

 

Now, after his 4-for-5 outing in the championship game, the Twins have every right to be excited about what he'll do in Spring Training and beyond. Rosario managed to impress all of his teammates as a future star this fall, and it may just be a matter of time before the rest of the world takes notice.

 

"He never throws away at-bats and he's always battling," said Casteel. "He's got such good hands and he can hit a pitch at his eyes or in the dirt. He's an incredible hitter and he's got power and really good tools. It's going to be exciting to watch him down the line. He's got a bright future ahead of him."

 

[stringer bell]

Rosario did what he had to do to undo his disappointing regular season in New Britain. Most would agree that the quality of play and players in the AFL is a step up from AA and he had a good turn of about 115 plate appearances.

 

There are gaping holes in the outfield and I still believe that Eddie could stick with the major league team this spring.

[Lakeside]

Rosario did what he had to do to undo his disappointing regular season in New Britain. Most would agree that the quality of play and players in the AFL is a step up from AA and he had a good turn of about 115 plate appearances.

 

There are gaping holes in the outfield and I still believe that Eddie could stick with the major league team this spring.

I'm also of the belief that with a decent Spring, Rosario will be in leftfield at the start of the season unless the Twins spend big for a one-year stop-gap here (Hunter, Denofrio ??).  If that happens he could actually be penciled in in CF with Schafer as the 4th outfielder.  I do believe, however, his best outfield position will turn out to be LF.

 

I'm of the opinion that Molitor will be different than Gardenhire and look at multi-tool players more -- ability to run, bunt, take the extra base, defense, etc - over single dimension players like Willingham. . that's why I think Rosario has a chance to break camp and go North next Spring.

[Seth Stohs]

I think Rosario goes into spring training with a chance to make the opening day roster. I think it's a small chance, but a chance. 

 

I believe that he can play at least an average big league centerfield. I think he can be well above average in left field. Obviously with Buxton in the picture, left field is much more realistic. However, Rosario can play CF and when Buxton is ready, he can move to left field without any concern.

 

I think Rosario needed the Fall League and he did exactly what he needed to do there. I think Kepler needed the Fall League, and he did exactly what he needed to do there! Good showing for both of them, as well as for Jake Reed. 

[Thrylos]

I see absolutely no reason for Rosario not to be a starting OF for the Twins in 2015.  Are there 3 better OFs (bat/glove combination) who are MLB-ready right now in the Twins' organization?

[Lakeside]

I think Rosario goes into spring training with a chance to make the opening day roster. I think it's a small chance, but a chance. 

 

I believe that he can play at least an average big league centerfield. I think he can be well above average in left field. Obviously with Buxton in the picture, left field is much more realistic. However, Rosario can play CF and when Buxton is ready, he can move to left field without any concern.

 

I think Rosario needed the Fall League and he did exactly what he needed to do there. I think Kepler needed the Fall League, and he did exactly what he needed to do there! Good showing for both of them, as well as for Jake Reed. 

Not disagreeing, but, who in the organization would be better to put in LF?  If not Rosario, then it has to be a free agent signing or trade?

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

Not disagreeing, but, who in the organization would be better to put in LF?  If not Rosario, then it has to be a free agent signing or trade?

If Sano makes the team at 3B then Plouffe can move to LF. My first choice is moving Mauer to LF and putting Vargas or Parmalee at 1B. I am worried that if Rosario comes north with Twins next spring we could have another Aaron Hicks situation...not ready for prime time.

[jokin]

I see absolutely no reason for Rosario not to be a starting OF for the Twins in 2015.  

 

 I bet Terry could give you 5 reasons...

 

http://media.gazettextra.com/img/photos/2010/06/10/ParkerGrad6_t500.jpg?21bf6915bb019ee8470ac50ab6ce308e04d7a184

[Lakeside]

If Sano makes the team at 3B then Plouffe can move to LF. My first choice is moving Mauer to LF and putting Vargas or Parmalee at 1B. I am worried that if Rosario comes north with Twins next spring we could have another Aaron Hicks situation...not ready for prime time.

I think Plouffe in LF with Sano at 3B would be okay.  However, since Sano missed the season I believe that there is a better chance of Rosario breaking camp North in April than Sano.

 

Another option might be Escobar as the everyday 3B and Plouffe in LF.

 

I'm a reaiist and when I look at the 1 year stop-gaps prior to the Buxton arrival, I look at Hunter, Denofrio, Aoki, and Rasmus.  However, we have lost over 90 games seasons in a row, so how desireable are we for them?  One for a year would be great. . .but let's see how that works out.

 

Without one of them, our four top OFs are Arcia, Schafer, Hicks, and Rosario.  Maybe Parmelee, but I'm guessing that he and Collabello are eventually waived off the 40-man roster to protect some younger players from becoming eligible for the Rule 5.

[ashbury]

40% - among the first cuts in spring

40% - the very last cut in spring

20% - Eddie goes north with the team

 

(Odds assume current roster and would change if they sign an experienced outfielder)

[biscuit]

I went down to Scottsdale in October to see Buxton play.  The night before I boarded my plane in Mpls, Buxton broke his finger.  I still went to a game at Talking Sticks Park.  Rosario went 1-4.  Two of his outs were very hard hit liners.  His hit was a seeing single.  In addition, he made a couple of very nice throws from left field: one that prevented a run from scoring and another that got a guy out at 2nd. Then the 2nd baseman blew the tag.  Eddie Rosario may find himself in the bigs before next season is done.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I think Eddie's chance of making the team in 2015 spring is less than 10%.  I do think we will likely see him in MN at some point next year if he can build off of his AFL success.

[USAFChief]

I think Eddie's chance of making the team in 2015 spring is less than 10%.  I do think we will likely see him in MN at some point next year if he can build off of his AFL success.

concur

[jokin]

40% - among the first cuts in spring

40% - the very last cut in spring

20% - Eddie goes north with the team

 

(Odds assume current roster and would change if they sign an experienced outfielder)

 

Good call, on the right track.... I'd go 45/45/10.  If a LF is signed, it's 70/30/0.  (When was the last time they had a guy go north w/o mastering AA?)

Edited November 16, 2014 by jokin

[Seth Stohs]

Not disagreeing, but, who in the organization would be better to put in LF?  If not Rosario, then it has to be a free agent signing or trade?

 

 

Correct... But, at the same time, we also have to realize that Rosario did great in 115 plate appearances in the AFL, but he was pretty bad in 370 plate appearances during the last 4 months of the regular season. So, we do need to step back and realize that Rosario isn't a finished "product." 

[ashbury]

Good call, on the right track.... I'd go 45/45/10.

43/44/13. Final offer.

[jokin]

Correct... But, at the same time, we also have to realize that Rosario did great in 115 plate appearances in the AFL, but he was pretty bad in 370 plate appearances during the last 4 months of the regular season. So, we do need to step back and realize that Rosario isn't a finished "product." 

 

+1  Past off-field issues and inconsistent production are not erased by 115 AFL PAs.  I'd prefer to see him force the issue and steal a spot away in-season, not have it handed to him in April based on those AFL PAs and irrelevant ST stats.

[drock2190]

I'm of the opinion that Molitor will be different than Gardenhire and look at multi-tool players more -- ability to run, bunt, take the extra base, defense, etc - over single dimension players like Willingham. . that's why I think Rosario has a chance to break camp and go North next Spring.

 

Multi-tool players with that skill set?

 

You must have forgot Punto, Gardy's little buddy who could do all those things. So if anything Gardy liked multi-tool players but Willingham was a good find before all the injuries happened.

[Otwins]

I watched the tape of the championship game.  John Manual and Joe Magraine (announcers) agreed that Rosario was the best hitting prospect in the Arizona Fall league. They love his swing and said he could compete for future batting championships.  If I didn't know better I would have thought they were Twins announcers. Hope they are right 

[stringer bell]

+1  Past off-field issues and inconsistent production are not erased by 115 AFL PAs.  I'd prefer to see him force the issue and steal a spot away in-season, not have it handed to him in April based on those AFL PAs and irrelevant ST stats.

While I don't totally disagree, I think Rosario's sharp fall has papered over most of his disappointing regular season. For him to advance he needs to show maturity that some believed was lacking before his suspension. He also needs to show he has the tools, the temperament, and the production to succeed as a major leaguer.

 

As far as his at-bats in Spring Training, I don't think they are "irrelevant" for a player trying to make an impression or make a team. It will go much deeper than Rosario's (or anyone else's) batting average. Hitting against big-league pitchers or candidates late in Spring Training is much more important than rapping a couple extra-base hits against a Double A pitcher who only was throwing fastballs during the first week of games.

 

A lot has to go right for Rosario to make a run for a spot out of Spring Training. Since the minor league seasons ended, he has done what he needed to do. He would have to continue good performance at the plate, plus field his position well, plus demonstrate his attitude and off-the-field problems are behind him.

 

If he is one of the three best outfielders in Spring Training, he should make the club. Still a long shot, but something that could be done.

[GoGonzoJournal]

Not disagreeing, but, who in the organization would be better to put in LF?  If not Rosario, then it has to be a free agent signing or trade?

A platoon of Hicks and Schafer would be better in LF. Danny Santana would be better in CF. Arcia in RF. 

[Madre Dos]

I just love Rosie. He was with me in 2011. That was the crazy year...Miguel Sano, Eddie, Kennys Vargas, Jonathan Arias, Jairo Rodriguez and Tyler Jones. Rosie has a quick wit, and was very easy going. I can't wait to see him in Fort Myers during spring training.

[jokin]

While I don't totally disagree, I think Rosario's sharp fall has papered over most of his disappointing regular season. For him to advance he needs to show maturity that some believed was lacking before his suspension. He also needs to show he has the tools, the temperament, and the production to succeed as a major leaguer.

 

As far as his at-bats in Spring Training, I don't think they are "irrelevant" for a player trying to make an impression or make a team. It will go much deeper than Rosario's (or anyone else's) batting average. Hitting against big-league pitchers or candidates late in Spring Training is much more important than rapping a couple extra-base hits against a Double A pitcher who only was throwing fastballs during the first week of games.

 

A lot has to go right for Rosario to make a run for a spot out of Spring Training. Since the minor league seasons ended, he has done what he needed to do. He would have to continue good performance at the plate, plus field his position well, plus demonstrate his attitude and off-the-field problems are behind him.

 

If he is one of the three best outfielders in Spring Training, he should make the club. Still a long shot, but something that could be done.

 

Two STs in a row, Aaron Hicks was All-World against  ST pitching, and we know how quickly he was exposed... and the Twins fell for that ST mirage, twice.  Rosario hasn't come close to accomplishing at AA what Hicks did three seasons ago. 

 

The things you legitimately cite as "areas to work on" in your opening paragraph will likely overwhelm any favorable ST impressions, even if they are at Hicksian levels.  IMO, the wisest course is having a solid Plan A (FA LF/ platoon CF), with the understanding that Rosario is a solid upgrade as a Plan B- as one who could knock the doors in and claim a spot in May, June, July, with a decent performance in Chattanooga/Rochester.