Amed Rosario, SS

Player Data: Age: 24; B/T: R/R
Primary Stats: 157 G (655 PA) .287/.323/.432, 30 2B, 7 3B, 15 HR, 72 RBIs, 124 K, 31 BB
Advanced Stats: 100 wRC+, 1.3 BsR, .318 wOBA, 18.9 K%, 4.7 BB%, .338 BABIP, -14 DRS, -0.6 UZR/150, 2.7 fWAR, 1.8 bWAR

Free Agent: 2023
2019 Salary: $575,000

Grade: B

2019 Review

New York Mets shortstop Amed Rosario made considerable progress in 2019. Following a less than stellar start to his much-trumpeted young career, the young Dominican product broke out at the plate and began to exhibit more of the elite defensive skills that were attached to his name as a prospect.

Let’s start with his play in the field. No, -14 defensive runs saved shouldn’t be celebrated. But, as Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic pointed out in September, Rosario had accumulated -13 DRS by May 19. He finished the year at -14 DRS.

Per Rosenthal’s article, Rosario and Mets infield coach Gary DiSarcina worked together throughout the year to streamline the 24-year-old’s positioning, timing, and footwork and, by all accounts, as the season wore on, Rosey’s defense improved. That’s a step in the right direction, mind the pun.

At the plate, Rosario took some unexpectedly long strides in 2019, notching career-bests virtually across the board — traditional and advanced stats, alike.

His 33.4% hard-hit rate was a significant jump from his 27.7 percent mark in 2018 and his 14.5% soft-hit rate dropped from 20.4 percent the season before. His 177 hits ranked first among National League shortstops and his 125 singles were most among all MLB shortstops.

Patience and pitch recognition/discipline were two big knocks on Rosario’s game heading into last season. In 2019, Rosey’s on-base percentage rose to a respectable .323 (.295 OBP in 2018) and he cut down on chasing pitches (38.1 percent O-Swing% from 41.2 O-Swing% in 2018).

By the end of the season, Rosario was looking and playing the part of a major league shortstop. That’s saying a lot considering the developmental speed bumps he hit.

Keep in mind, though — he’s just 24. There’s still a lot of developing left to take place.

2020 Outlook

There’s no question Amed Rosario made his presence felt —  organizationally, that is — last season. Mets brass was presumably getting just as impatient waiting for the phenom that we’d all been hearing so much about to finally show up and stay here.

With Ronny Mauricio and Andres Gimenez making their way up the ladder, the heat was ready to be turned all the way up on Rosey.

Well, after hitting .319/.351/.453 in the second half — racking up 1.7 fWAR over that span, third-most among NL shortstops — and turning his defense around in the process, it’s safe to say Rosario will head into 2020 with a bit more cushion between himself and the neophytes.

How he responds to the success he found in 2019 is the more pressing matter, though. Hopefully, Rosario’s progress will motivate him to continue on this trajectory. Though, especially for a young player, the pressure to replicate prior high times can be overwhelming.

With a full offseason to continue honing his skills, a prosperous 2019 with plenty of experiences to reference when times do inevitably get tough again and a considerably firmer grip on his starting position, Amed Rosario should be heading into 2020 with a head full of steam.

Let’s hope that’s the case.