Article: Get To Know: LHP Randy Rosario

[Seth Stohs]

Last week, the Twins announced seven new additions to their 40-man roster. There were some predictable names announced, but there were a couple of surprises. Arguably the player added who was least-known was left-hander Randy Rosario. Today, we get a chance to learn a little more about him in the following Q&A.

 

The 21-year-old from the Dominican Republic signed with the Twins in 2010. He worked his way up the system. He began the 2014 season in Cedar Rapids, but after just three games, he hurt his elbow and needed the Tommy John surgery. He missed the rest of the 2014 season. He rehabbed and returned to the mound for the Kernels in early July.

 

We would like to thank Randy Rosario for taking time to respond to our questions. We would also like to thank his agency, LA Sports Management, for helping to facilitate the interview and for translating. You can follow them on Twitter (@LASportsMgmt) for news on Randy Rosario and many other Twins prospects.

 

 

 

Seth Stohs (SS): Growing up, who were some of your role models in the game of baseball?

 

Randy Rosario (Spanish): Siempre quise ser como David Ortiz porque yo soy zurdo también.

Randy Rosario (English): I always wanted to be like David Ortiz because I'm a lefty too.

SS: Tell me a little bit about your youth baseball in the Dominican Republic. Did you play Little League? Did you play other positions besides pitcher?

 

Randy Rosario (Spanish): Yo comencé como todos los dominicanos jugando en la calle y una vez un señor me vio y me invitó al play y después comencé a jugar pelota. Y jugué outfield primero.

Randy Rosario (English): I began like every Dominican, playing in the streets, and one time a man saw me and invited me to play in his field and from then on I started playing a lot of baseball! I played outfield first.

SS: When did you start hearing from professional, MLB teams and what was it that caused you to decide to sign with the Twins?

 

Randy Rosario (Spanish): La primera vez que comencé a escuchar sobre eso fue cuando Boston contrató a un pitcher asiático y ahí decidí que quería jugar como profesional algún dia.

Randy Rosario (English): The first time I started hearing about that was when Boston signed an Asian pitcher, and from there, I decided that I wanted to play professionally one day.

SS: What was the adjustment like for you when you moved from the Dominican to Ft. Myers? What were the biggest challenges?

 

Randy Rosario (Spanish): Solo tuve inconvenientes con la comida y el idioma. Me sentí frustrado cuando llegue allí sin saber demasiado, por eso le dediqué tiempo y aprendí.

Randy Rosario (English): I mainly had issues with the food and the language. It was frustrating when I arrived without knowing enough and that's why I dedicated the time and learned.

SS: How frustrated were you when you had the elbow injury and had to miss time? What was the rehab like?

 

Randy Rosario (Spanish): Pensé que mi carrera se había terminado y que nunca más iba a volver a lanzar

Randy Rosario (English): I thought that my career was over and that I was never going to pitch again.

SS: What was the highlight of your 2015 season? What did it mean to get back on the mound in Cedar Rapids this year?

 

Randy Rosario (Spanish): ¡Fue maravilloso después de mi primera salida porque todos me felicitaron por haber regresado!! Y me sentí muy bien en el montículo después de haber estado afuera durante todo el año 2014.

Randy Rosario (English): It was great after my first outing because everyone congratulated me for coming back! I felt very good on the mound especially after being out all of 2014.

SS: What type of pitcher do you think you are and can be? What were your keys to your success on the mound?

 

Randy Rosario (Spanish): Creo que puedo ser como Francisco Liriano. Por lo menos eso es lo que dicen muchos managers y entrenadores de las ligas menores cuando me ven lanzando. Tengo la esperanza de ser tan bueno o quizá mejor si me esmero.

Randy Rosario (English): I think I can be like Francisco Liriano, at least that's what many coaches and managers tell me in the minor leagues once they see me pitch. I hope to be as good or hopefully even better with hard work.

SS: How did you find out about making the 40-man roster and what does that mean to you?

 

Randy Rosario (Spanish): ¡No recuerdo exactamente, pero cuando me dijeron que estaba en el róster de los 40, me sentí muy emocionado y me sentí muy bien!! Y para mí al igual que para todo jugador de Liga Menor, ese es uno de los sueños que quieres lograr y gracias a Dios estoy ahí ahora.

Randy Rosario (English): I can't recall but when they told me I felt very emotional and I felt really good! And for me and for every minor leaguer, that is one of your dreams you want to achieve and thank God that's where I am now.

SS: Are there certain areas of your game or preparation that you’d like to focus on during this offseason, looking to 2016?

 

Randy Rosario (Spanish): Sí, tengo a mi entrenador aquí y siempre estoy hablando con él sobre prepararme para la temporada que viene y ya comenzamos a trabajar para estar listos para eso.

Randy Rosario (English): Yes, I have my trainer here and I'm always talking with him about being ready for the season, and we have been working to be ready for that.

SS: What are some of your goals for the 2016 season? Are there certain statistics that you will focus on?

 

Randy Rosario (Spanish): Mi primera meta es mantenerme sano y mantenerme lo más fuerte que sea posible. Quiero tirar más de 100 inings este año. ¡Esa es otra meta!

Randy Rosario (English): My first goal is to remain healthy and be as strong as I can be. I want to throw more than 100 innings this year. That is another goal!

SS: What would it mean to you and your family to be able to reach the major leagues and put that uniform on for the first time?

 

Randy Rosario (Spanish): ¡Ese es el sueño de mi familia y el mío!! Estar allí y que todos ellos puedan verme por televisión.

Randy Rosario (English): That is the dream of my family and mine! Being there and for everyone to be able to see me on TV.

SS: Away from baseball, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

 

Randy Rosario (Spanish): Me gusta mucho jugar al playstation, siempre hago eso cuando tengo tiempo libre.

Randy Rosario (English): I love playing PlayStation, I always do that when I have free time.

We would like to thank Randy Rosario for taking time to respond to our questions.

 

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[bluechipper]

I'm looking forward to seeing what Randy Rosario can do next season. I really like the Liriano comp that he had. Let's hope he can get to that level eventually.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I'm looking forward to seeing what Randy Rosario can do next season. I really like the Liriano comp that he had. Let's hope he can get to that level eventually.

 

Stuff-wise, I think it's a good, fair comp. Of course, comps are always with really good players, so they're probably not really all that fair in the big picture, but that is the type of upside he has.

[Madre Dos]

That is really odd that he did the interview in Spanish.  His Engish was good when he lived here in 2013  

[Thrylos]

Yeah.  Something is pretty fishy here   Was that an e-mail interview?   The kid does speak English for sure.

 

Oh. And the Liriano comparison is just not there. Totally different stuff.  Maybe the slider.  M.A.Y.B.E. 

[bluechipper]

Looks like we've got a controversy on our hands. What is the truth behind Randy Rosario choosing to write his answers in Spanish? Or was it even Rosario writing the answers at all!?! And how does LA Sports Management figure into this!?! Let's get some answers!

[Seth Stohs]

It was an e-mail Q&A, and he does speak English. I wouldn't ask him to do an interview via e-mail in his second language. In person, sure. 

 

LA Sports Management represents Rosario... and several other Twins minor leaguers. They helped facilitate the request (and maybe future requests...).

[bluechipper]

Yeah that makes sense. I assumed it would just be easier to write back in Spanish too, but I wanted to know what others meant when they said it was odd that he did so.

[Hrbowski]

Here is Randy Rosario:

 

 

And Francisco Liriano: