Amed Rosario hit his first career lead-off home run in Monday night’s 8-5 Mets victory over the Yankees, and looks to have finally found his batting spot home.
“I think leading him off, he seems to adapt to that spot in the order and really values laying off pitches and being more patient,’’ Callaway told the New York Post after Rosario went 2-for-5 out of the No. 1 hole. “We’re really trying to quicken up his swing so he can drive the ball to the opposite field.”
There’s no doubt that Rosario, 22, has the speed to be a lead-off guy, and if he can just boost his batting average and on-base percentage, he will be a real force to be reckoned with batting No. 1.
Rosario has been working extensively with hitting coach Pat Roessler, who has been trying everything he can to get the young shortstop into a groove at the dish.
It seems the former top prospect is finally stringing things together.
“He’s always a bundle of energy coming to the ballpark every day, so it’s fun to get him out there with the first at-bat of the game,’’ Manager Mickey Callaway said.
But Rosario just says he kept it simple.
“I just wanted to be aggressive and get our team off to a good start and I was able to get a pitch I could handle,” Rosario said.
Third baseman Todd Frazier said: “These young guys like Rosario changed his swing a month ago and it’s very good to see. He’s going to be fun to watch.”
While his .188/.239/.271 slash line in 20 games batting lead off leaves something to be desired, hopefully last night was a step in the right direction. Plus, he has seven stolen bases when batting first, which is a positive to build upon.
Hopefully over the next month and a half to end the season, Rosario gets ample opportunities to bat first and can thrive.
