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Minnesota Twins: 5 players that must step up after Byron Buxton’s injury

By Chris Schad

Jake Cave of the Minnesota Twins rounds the bases after hitting a triple. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Jake Cave of the Minnesota Twins rounds the bases after hitting a triple. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 09: Eddie Rosario #20 of the Minnesota Twins watches after hitting a solo home run against the Cleveland Indians during the sixth inning of the game on August 9, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 09: Eddie Rosario #20 of the Minnesota Twins watches after hitting a solo home run against the Cleveland Indians during the sixth inning of the game on August 9, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Eddie Rosario

Eddie Rosario has been a fan-favorite among Twins Territory and his overall performance in 2019 has done nothing to diminish his popularity. Rosario has hit .275 on the season and has crushed a career-high 28 home runs and 94 RBI. Numbers like that usually don’t require someone to step up, but in Rosario’s case, the Twins need a little more discipline from their left fielder.

On the season, Rosario’s plate discipline has been questionable with just 18 walks in 494 plate appearances. Over the same span, Rosario has logged a chase rate of 47 percent according to FanGraphs which means he’s allowed the pitcher to dictate his at-bats rather than waiting for a pitch that he can crush into the upper deck.

Although they are different players offensively, Buxton was able to display some patience with a walk rate nearly double the one Rosario has posted. With Buxton posting an on-base percentage of .314, he was at least able to get on base so he could do some damage outside of the big blast.

When you compare the two, both players are different in terms of their approach at the plate and their role on the team. However, if Rosario can be more selective at the plate, not only will he be able to keep the line moving, he might be able to get more pitches that he can drive out of the park.

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