Minnesota Twins: Eddie Rosario Earns AL Player of the Week

Minnesota Twins outfielder Eddie Rosario selected as the AL player of the week

Just call him Mr. August. Minnesota Twins outfielder Eddie Rosario has been on fire this month, amassing a .444 batting average in 7 games last week alone. Rosario also had 4 home runs, 9 RBI, 12 hits and 10 runs in a week where we saw the Twins put together 6 wins in 7 games. The team started out winning 2 at home against the Brewers, then 2 more in Milwaukee. Then, they won 2 of 3 against Detroit, capping off a much needed winning week.

Rosario has been a surprise coming into the second half of the 2017 season. In 2016, the 24 year old had only a .269 batting average. He was impatient at the plate, striking out 91 times. He had only 90 hits accounting for 52 runs over a full season. Just into the second half of 2017, he already has a .296 average, 109 hits and 53 runs. His strikeout rate is way down too, with only 75 to date.

With Age Comes Maturity?

Although Rosario’s numbers are certainly better this season, the question remains: why? Could it be more work in the cages? Could it be more one on one time with hitting coach James Rowson? Or could it be he’s another year older and wiser? We’re seeing a similar trend with Miguel Sano this season as well. He is far more patient at the plate and it’s translating into an increased batting average and more runs generated by the 3rd baseman.

Next: Offseason free agent plen

Regardless of the reasons why, the Twins appear to be peaking when it counts the most. With only a few weeks left of the season, Rosario, Sano and Brian Dozier are heating up at the plate, providing the Twins with some much needed run support. As long as the pitching staff can remain healthy, the runs keep coming and guys like Rosario and Sano stay hot, the Twins may be in an exciting position to make some noise in the Wild Card race this year.