The day finally arrived. Amed Rosario was called up to the Bigs and offered a glimpse into his potential.
Tuesday night, the 21-year-old went 1-for-4 at the dish with a strikeout after flying out to right field in his first MLB at-bat. He saw plenty of action at shortstop in the first part of the game, flawlessly handling the products of Steven Matz‘ sinkers.
“I’m so thankful to God it was a tremendous experience,” Rosario said reflecting on his debut. “Being out there, I really don’t have words to describe it.”
A Mets rookie’s debut is incomplete without some sort of drama, which came with one out in the ninth inning. With a full count on DJ LeMahieu, Charlie Blackmon, who Hansel Robles had walked to lead off the inning, tried to steal second. Rosario took a step towards second base but the ball was hit to his opposite side. What looked like a double play ball off the bat resulted in no outs at all.
The next hitter, Nolan Arenado, would slap an RBI base hit to center field to win the game for the Rockies.
With a right-hander up at-bat, generally the second baseman would cover. Despite that, after the game Neil Walker said that the base was in fact Rosario’s which they decided before the pitch. It was a tough play and knowing Rosario had to cover second on the steal, the infield hit ruling now seems accurate.
“It’s just part of the game, shake it off,” Rosario said of the play. “I’ve already forgotten it and I’ll come in tomorrow with a new mindset and a lot of faith.”
The second the game ended, Jay Bruce (who had been playing first base) ran straight to Rosario to tell him not to worry about the tough play. It was not his fault, and while it was possible for him to make the play as he got his glove in it, it would have been extremely difficult to record the out at first, let alone turn a double play.
All in all, it was a successful and impressive debut for Rosario who should be back in the lineup tonight.
