The New York Mets shortstop of the future, Amed Rosario, will be going nowhere anytime soon. Mets General Manager, Sandy Alderson has let it be known to prospective trade partners that Rosario is untouchable.
“We’ve made that clear before and continue to make it clear when his name is mentioned,” Alderson said. “So I think clubs have gotten the message.” (MLB.com)
Baseball America has ranked the 21-year-old Rosario as the team’s 2017 top prospect. The Mets signed Rosario back in 2012 for $1.75 million, a franchise record for an international amateur. He has had a quick rise through the minors and continues to impress more and more each year.
Rosario started his 2016 season in high Class-A St Lucie. before earning a promotion to Binghamton where he combined to hit to a .324/.376/.462 batting line with five homers and 71 RBI.
The smooth fielding Rosario is also believed to have Gold Glove potential as he has been considered the best defensive player in both the Florida State and Eastern Leagues while playing in each. Rosario has quickly become a possible cornerstone franchise player.
“He can be an outstanding player, I think that’s why he’s considered our No. 1 prospect at a premium position,” Alderson said.
Possibly the most surprising news to come out about Rosario recently is the team’s desire to have him field at other positions in order to expand his versatility. There though has not been any news as to where else the team may look to use him at this point.
“He’s athletic enough. We’re not going to harm him by playing him somewhere else. We know what he can do at shortstop,” Alderson said.
“So, if we want to move him around while he’s still in the minor leagues in order to fill a role potentially more than shortstop at the major league level, even if on a temporary basis, then I think that’s important for him to be able to do that.”
It is an interesting thing to do with a developing player at this stage of his career. There is belief around the league that although Rosario may start the season in Double-A, we may still see him by the end of 2017 at Citi Field if all goes right for the team’s top prospect.
