2015 Twins: Looking For A Spring Training Hero
Nov 2, 2013; Surprise, AZ, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman Eddie Rosario against the East during the Fall Stars Game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
On the 40 man roster, Rosario is still a highly regarded prospect for the Twins. Baseball Prospectus ranked Rosario the 60th prospect prior to the 2014 season. A suspension cut down his season, and he never found his groove. A career .294 hitter, Rosario hit just .237 across 79 games at the Double-A level.
In 2015, the Twins will likely go with Jordan Schafer as a fourth outfielder behind Aaron Hicks, and Eduardo Nunez will offer positional flexibility from the bench. Minnesota will want Rosario getting at bats, and he won’t be called up until he is going to play. That being said, his full-time role now being in the outfield provides some intrigue.
Oswaldo Arcia has displayed some back issues already this offseason, and neither Schafer nor Nunez provide the upside of Rosario. Coming off of a less than ideal 2014, Rosario will have to prove he is ready, but there are ways in which he fits. Spring Training will be more of a time for Rosario to cement a potential timeline for his promotion rather than an Opening Day inclusion, but he has the ability to put together a Dozier or Hicks like showing in Fort Myers.
Once the Twins get going in Florida, there will be plenty of intriguing prospects to keep an eye on. Considering the strength of the farm system as a whole, Minnesota will be looking for contributors in less than expected places. Plenty of guys have the ability to surprise, but who does so can separate themselves from the competition.
Next: Top 10 Twins Prospects To Watch In 2015