It sounds like Rosario will be playing some CF in spring training.  Rosario said: “It is my best position, too. Paul Molitor told me at TwinsFest, I will be playing center in spring training.’’

 

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/292542471.html

Yeah, I think the Twins sort of see Rosario as a poor man's Ben Zorbrist and might end up using him as a super utility guy in the majors (if he can hit).  So it's good to see that he's going to get playing time in the OF but also at second base.

 

I also liked Reusse remembering Lyman Bostick.  His death was really tragic and it's nice that younger fans might google and learn about him.

I never knew anything about Bostock. After starting off poorly in 1978 he tried to *give his salary* back!? What a tragic story.

 

Gary is a terrible city. Even just driving through it makes one depressed.

 

Anyway, Rosario's "drug" issue means nothing to me. I cannot bear seeing a Hicks-like treatment though. Of course they won't be throwing Rosario out to bat leadoff, I guess, but I don't really think they should rush him. 

 

Hunter is suddenly a roadblock.

I've always like Eddie Rosario.  IMO he has a better than 50/50 chance to be a Twins regular this season.  Time will tell.  A future outfiled of Arcia, Buxton, and Rosario is a very probable case in the Twins future.

 

The comparison with Bostock is interesting.  Both were/are  considered to not have much plate discipline and too young and not ready for MLB.  Bostock came up and got the job done, I think he hit over .300 in 2 of his 3 seasons with the Twins before going as a FA to the Angels.

 

A big difference that I do see is that, I believe, Bostock made much better contact.  I beleive he was one of the toughest to strikeout during his career in MLB.

In interviews all offseason, Molitor has mentioned Rosario as a possible darkhorse in the CF position battle. After his struggles in AA last year, I think it's a longshot, but he could make the roster if several things break for him. Most likely, he'll start in AAA, though there is a chance he could start in AA for a month too. Definitely a good CF though. If he's on the same team as Buxton, though, Rosario will not play much CF.

Rosario and Arcia both seemed to hit for high averages as they progressed through the minors. Would be fun to see them wind up playing on either side of Buxton with some .300+ seasons.

Many interviews with important decision makers addressing the CF options have seemed to go out of their way to mention Rosario as a candidate. a question will be asked about Hicks and or Santana and the answer ends with "Rosario is a guy to watch for in ST also." I just have a feeling that if he minds his attitude and plays well he will be given the job.

For those asking about Lyman Bostock:  He was an amazing player!  I absolutely loved to watch him play.  I like what I'm hearing about Rosario, but they're still questions:  like it takes a couple times getting caught taking drugs, performance enhancing or not, to get suspended for 50 games.  Here's wishing Rosario the best and good health.

In interviews all offseason, Molitor has mentioned Rosario as a possible darkhorse in the CF position battle. After his struggles in AA last year, I think it's a longshot, but he could make the roster if several things break for him. Most likely, he'll start in AAA, though there is a chance he could start in AA for a month too. Definitely a good CF though. If he's on the same team as Buxton, though, Rosario will not play much CF.

Hey Seth,  I took a really quick glance at the AAA OF's.  Ages:  25, 29, 29 and 30.  What do you think?  Maybe a good training spot?  Get him used to some breaking ball?

Yeah, Bostock was amazing.  I was disappointed when the Twins didn't re-sign Hisle, absolutely crushed when they let Lyman go elsewhere.  I actually remember where I was when I heard he'd been shot (college dorm room).  A few of us baseball fans sat down and were stunned.

 

I would be thrilled to have Rosario even remind us of Bostock a little bit.

Hey Seth,  I took a really quick glance at the AAA OF's.  Ages:  25, 29, 29 and 30.  What do you think?  Maybe a good training spot?  Get him used to some breaking ball?

 

 

If they think he should be at AAA, he's not going to  be held back. They'll make room for him. If they have some reasons (patience at plate, something else) to keep him in AA for a month, they'll move him up there. The prospects, like Rosario, will move on their time. Each level presents something different. The 28-30 year old pitchers with the polish and pitch mix will be good for him.

I liked Bostock when he played and his death was tragic. 

 

I'll echo Seth that a lot of things have to break Eddie's way for him to start the season with the Twins.  The first step has already occurred and I think it was a big step--Rosario excelled against top prospects in the AFL.  He needs to carry good performance in all facets of his game forward, while those competing with him show their flaws.  He also needs to stay out of trouble and demonstrate that he isn't a "bad actor".  I am hoping that all of this comes to pass and Rosario breaks camp with the club, but I won't be broken up if he plays well and is sent to AAA, with the idea that he is the first recalled when either an infielder or outfielder is needed.

Look, I really like Rosario and the thought occurred to me before signing Hunter that the Twins could have just rolled out of camp with Rosario in the OF. 

 

But have we forgotten the first season of Aaron Hicks already? The AFL is not a legitimate test, overall, for a lot of reasons. Kepler smacked AFL pitching too . . . where do you guys want him to start this year? Rosario hasn't even been good yet at AA. 

 

 

Hunter is suddenly a roadblock.

 

SUDDENLY??

I agree with Shane...Rosario stunk (or to be kind struggled) at AA last year. Keep him in Chattanooga working with Dougie Baseball until he proves he can hit AA pitching. No need to repeat Hicks fiasco.

At camera day, back in the day, I asked Bostock if he was going to stay a Twin. He said he hoped so. Alas, he did not. And, much worse was his early death. 

 

I don't see Rosario in CF for the TWins opening day. He should be in AAA on opening day, imo.

I think that if Rosario makes the Twins, one of Schafer and Nunez will not.  Not sure how many options those guys have...

Mientkiewicz managed Rosario for a total of 50 games in 2013 and 2014 at Class A Fort Myers.

“I love Rosario,’’ he said. “He can play center field. He can play second base, too. And he’s the best hitter in our system.’’

 

Mientkiewicz has moved up to manage the Twins’ new Class AA affiliate, the Chattanooga Lookouts. He doesn’t expect to be managing Rosario again this season.

 

He said that Rosario is ready for a higher level — and not necessarily Class AAA Rochester. He said Rosario is ready for the big leagues, as in Opening Day, 2015, ready.

Of course, he didn't see his AA struggles last year, but he got to watch him day in day out for 50 games rather than simply relying on box scores and metrics.  

I think that if Rosario makes the Twins, one of Schafer and Nunez will not.  Not sure how many options those guys have...

None....both are out of options.

Look, I really like Rosario and the thought occurred to me before signing Hunter that the Twins could have just rolled out of camp with Rosario in the OF. 

 

But have we forgotten the first season of Aaron Hicks already? The AFL is not a legitimate test, overall, for a lot of reasons. Kepler smacked AFL pitching too . . . where do you guys want him to start this year? Rosario hasn't even been good yet at AA. 

Two different athletes with different skill sets.  The big test for Hicks has always been whether he can hit enough.  Rosario has profiled as a hitter--he's played different positions and had problems off the field.  While Hicks failed, Danny Santana took advantage of his opportunity with only a month's worth of AAA and less than stellar numbers at AA. If Rosario is better than Hicks this spring, there is no reason why he shouldn't get the job.  I doubt that will happen and I am certain that spring training stats shouldn't be the determiner.  I think Rosario can and will be an above average hitter and I have my doubts about Hicks.

Skeptics will note that Rosario batted .237 with a paltry on-base percentage of .277 in 79 games at Class AA New Britain last season. How do you turn that into Rosario being in center field for the Twins on April 6 in Detroit?

 

“I don’t want to put numbers on him,’’ Mientkiewicz said. “You just have to challenge Eddie. If he’s challenged, there’s not a lot he can’t do.’’

 

I hope Molitor does well for a couple of years...... but I hope to see Mientkiewicz managing all these young guys into the World Series.  It is a new age.

Dougie doesn't "put numbers on him." Players do that themselves!