Amed Rosario

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked New York Mets #1 prospect in 2017
  Sandy Alderson took the reins as Mets general manager after the 2010 season and promoted Chris Becerra to international scouting director in 2012. Becerra had previously worked as an area scout in Southern California--he recommended Robert Gsellman for the 2011 draft--and in his new role focused on Rosario as his first major acquisition. The Mets signed the Dominican shortstop for $1.75 million on July 2, 2012, and that bonus amount stands as a franchise record for an international amateur. Rosario, who was teammates with Rangers right fielder Nomar Mazara as a youth in Santo Domingo, graduated from high school before turning pro. His father, who was a lawyer and a judge, helped steer the signing process. Rosario wowed the Mets at instructional league after signing and made his pro debut at Rookie-level Kingsport in 2013, ranking as the No. 1 prospect in Appalachian League at age 17. After ranking as the top position prospect in the short-season New York-Penn League in 2014, he shot to high Class A St. Lucie in 2015. Rosario advanced rapidly through the minors in his teens, but he didn't begin to hit until 2016, his age-20 season, when he spent half the year at St. Lucie before moving to Double-A Binghamton in the second half. All told he hit .324/.374/.459 with 42 extra-base hits and 19 stolen bases in 120 games, and his .833 OPS ranked fourth among minor league shortstops. Tall and lean, Rosario began to fill out his frame and swing the bat with more authority in 2016. He also improved his pitch selectivity and bat-to-ball skills, resulting a career-best .324 average and walk rate of 7.6 percent across high Class and Double-A. His bat plays best when he lets the ball travel and uses his hands, strong wrists and plus bat speed to drive the ball to all fields. Capable of turning on the ball for occasional pull power, Rosario set a new personal standard with five home runs and .135 isolated slugging percentage in 2016. While his strikeout rate crept into dangerous territory at Double-A, Rosario has all the tools to be a plus hitter with possibly fringe-average power. Plus speed and strong instincts will help him take extra bases and steal perhaps 20 bags per season. The best athlete in the Mets system, Rosario stands out most for his glove work. Managers in both the Florida State and Eastern leagues recognized him as the best defensive shortstop in those leagues in 2016, and he has the easy plus range and arm strength to profile as a true impact defender. He will improve his throwing accuracy with experience, but scouts rave about his hands, live body and infield actions. Rosario has the potential to be an all-star shortstop with Gold Glove potential who can bat near the top of a lineup. He might begin 2017 back at Binghamton to refine his plate discipline, but he could push his way into the big league picture later in the season. The Mets have Asdrubal Cabrera under contract through 2017, meaning Rosario could be the organization's full-time shortstop at some point in 2018.
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  Ranked New York Mets #2 prospect in 2016
  The Mets ponied up the franchise's largest bonus for an international amateur when they signed Rosario for $1.75 million in 2012, and following the graduations of Travis d'Arnaud in 2014 and Michael Conforto in 2015, he stands as the system's top position prospect. He jumped from short-season Brooklyn in 2014 to high Class A St. Lucie this year, and he treaded water in the Florida State League as a 19-year-old. Rosario has developed since turning pro, but not entirely in the way scouts foresaw. Once regarded as more of a raw-power shortstop who might have to shift to third base, Rosario has instead honed his speed and defensive game to the point where those are his finest attributes. A plus athlete with plus speed, he brings terrific body control, soft hands and plus arm strength to the shortstop position. He flies down the first-base line and earns some double-plus running grades. Rosario is lean but broad-shouldered, so many scouts expect him to fill out and drive the ball more consistently. But at this stage he employs a slashing, loopy swing that is geared more for contact, and he hasn't shown much power even in batting practice. Rosario must learn to slow the game down, but that will come with time. The Mets did not hesitate to promote him to Double-A Binghamton for the playoffs, and he probably will begin 2016 as a starter in the Eastern League. He could be a first-division shortstop with further offensive growth.
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  Ranked New York Mets #6 prospect in 2015
  The Mets handed over $1.75 million, a franchise record for an international amateur, to sign Rosario in 2012, and he has more than justified that outlay during his first two pro seasons. He ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the Rookie-level Appalachian League in 2013 and then the top position prospect in the short-season New York-Penn League in 2014, when the 18-year-old ranked third with 77 hits despite being three years younger than the average NYP player. Rosario might have the highest ceiling among Mets position prospects because he profiles as a strong defensive shortstop who can swing the bat and run a bit. Quick, instinctual and in control, he lines the ball from gap to gap with a line drive-oriented stroke, though he might develop average power once he fills out his lean 6-foot-2 frame. He records solid-average run times but isn't a big basestealer. Rosario shines defensively, with plus range, agility and arm strength, but he can improve his efficiency by charging the ball more consistently to reduce hurried throws and errors. His quick feet make him adept at turning the double play. The Mets sent Rosario to low Class A Savannah at the end of May 2014 so that he could add game experience before joining Brooklyn in mid-June. He has the type of makeup to move quickly once he establishes himself in full-season ball, and he could grow to be an all-star shortstop.
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  Ranked New York Mets #7 prospect in 2014
  Rosario's tools and makeup prompted the Mets to sign him for $1.75 million, the largest international signing bonus in franchise history. He wowed the Mets during instructional league in 2012 and then played so well in spring training that the 17-year-old earned a ticket straight to Rookie-level Kingsport, where he ranked as the circuit's top prospect. Fluid actions, supreme body control and above-average speed and quickness could allow Rosario to remain at shortstop if he can gain consistency. He makes strong throws from all angles, so he could handle third base if needed. Rosario whips the bat through the hitting zone and already drives the ball with authority from his pull side to right-center field, so more power will come as he fills out his lean frame. Like most young hitters, he must learn to shorten his swing and improve his pitch selection and discipline. He runs well, so he could add stolen bases to his portfolio, but it won't dictate his future value. Rosario offers a more exciting package of tools than 2012 first-round shortstop Gavin Cecchini, though he may have to play one level behind him as they progress through the system. If the Mets follow recent precedent, then Rosario will be bound for short-season Brooklyn in 2014.
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #28 prospect in 2013
  Under previous GM Omar Minaya, the Mets never shied away from opening the checkbook for international amateurs such as Fernando Martinez and Deolis Guerra (2005), Francisco Pena (2006), Wilmer Flores (2007), Aderlin Rodriguez (2008) and Juan Urbina (2009). Yet none of them received a larger bonus than than Rosario, who signed for $1.75 million on July 2. As an amateur, he teamed with Rangers outfield prospect Nomar Mazara in the La Javilla youth league in their native Santo Domingo. The Mets love Rosario's makeup. He graduated from high school prior to signing, and his father is a lawyer in the Dominican Republic. He shone in instructional league, with true shortstop actions, wicked bat speed and noteworthy aptitude for a teenager. He has strong wrists and hands, and the ball jumps off his bat. He already generates occasional home run power from his long, lanky frame. Defensively, his footwork is sound and his arm is above average. He's just an average runner, and he may move to third base after he fills out. The Mets previously dropped big money on switch-hitting Venezuelan catcher Jose Garcia, signing him for $800,000 in 2011, but Garcia had a pedestrian debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2012 and didn't attend instructional league. So both he and Rosario could make their U.S. debuts in the Gulf Coast League in June.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Pacific Coast League #1 prospect in 2017
  Rosario already boasted some of the best tools among minor league shortstops, including terrific athleticism and the strongest throwing arm in the PCL. This season he added much more polish, paving the way to his Aug. 1 callup to the Mets. The shortstop has great hands, plus range and high reliability. "One thing he learned this year was how to position himself," Las Vegas manager Pedro Lopez said, "how to better learn swings and take control over the infield . . . Especially last year, some of the errors he made were staying back on balls and relying too much on his arm." Rosario's approach at the plate also improved drastically. He established career highs with a .328 average and seven home runs. He also stole 19 bases with plus-plus speed. "He's still aggressive," Lopez said, "but he's staying away from those marginal pitches and focusing on pitches he can drive."
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  Ranked Florida State League #1 prospect in 2016
  While Rosario spent most of 2015 in the FSL and ranked seventh on this list a year ago, scouts and managers noted he was a "different player" in 2016. Rosario's swing is now shorter and more authoritative, with the bat-to-ball skills he showed last year now translating into harder contact. Better pitch selection also helped him tap into the power in his stronger, maturing body. He still gets pull-happy at times, but when Rosario lets the ball travel a bit, he shows the quick hands and strong wrists and forearms to drive the ball to all parts of the park. Defensively, Rosario earns comparisons with Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias as a potential 70-grade defender on the 20-80 scouting scale. He combines a quick first step and premium range with plus arm strength and a knack for making the tough play. He also shows the focus to make the routine play look routine.
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  Ranked Eastern League #7 prospect in 2016
  The Mets signed Rosario for $1.75 million in 2012, establishing a franchise bonus record for an international amateur. He had earned acclaim for his defensive prowess in pro ball, but he had not hit much--that is until a breakthrough 2016 season in which he hit .324/.374/.459 in 120 games at two levels. Rosario is a lean, rangy, athletic shortstop whose hands and arm improved this season with more reps. He opened the year at high Class A St. Lucie, where the Mets tasked him with improving his plate discipline and laying off tough pitches out of the zone. He did that and earned a second-half promotion to Binghamton, where his walk rate held steady but his strikeout rate climbed. Rosario's above-average bat speed and potential for strength gains as he matures lead evaluators to believe he will develop at least modest power. For now, he projects as an above-average defensive shortstop with plus speed and the ability to make authoritative contact.
• 
  Ranked Florida State League #7 prospect in 2015
  The Mets believe so strongly in Rosario's glove that they sent the teenager to Double-A Binghamton for the Eastern League playoffs when Gavin Cecchini got hurt. Rosario's bat is far from ready for Double-A; he merely survived offensively in the FSL. His swing has some length, he's prone to chase breaking balls and he lacks strength. However, he has some bat-to-ball skills, showed signs of improving his approach, and his plus speed will help him leg out hits and be a factor on the bases. Scouts don't need to project Rosario as a special defender because he's already there. He slows the game down, makes the routine play look routine and has the arm strength and range to make spectacular plays of all kinds. His arm and range earn easy plus grades as well.
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  Ranked New York-Penn League #3 prospect in 2014
  Rosario has progressed quickly since signing for $1.75 million, the largest international bonus in Mets history. He was named the top prospect in the Rookie-level Appalachian League last year, and his OPS jumped from .637 last year to .717 in the NYPL, as his on-base skills improved. Rosario still is something of a free-swinger, but he is adept at hitting behind runners and executing the hit-and-run, and he profiles as a prototype No. 2 hitter. He has quick hands and figures to grow into some power as he fills out his wiry frame, but he primarily is a line-drive hitter who can use all fields. Rosario's arm rates as plus, but he needs to become more accurate with his throws. He fell into a rut this year where he sat back and let balls come to him, resulting in errors, but he did a better job charging balls in the final month. He has the fluid actions, range and hands to be a standout defensive shortstop down the road, and he also offers good speed, though he is not an aggressive basestealer at this stage. Rosario needs to get stronger and improve his stamina, but the Mets are thrilled with his developmental track.
• 
  Ranked National League #1 prospect in 2013
  Rosario received the largest international signing bonus in Mets history ($1.75 million) in 2012, and he showed star potential in his debut season. With a lanky build, he?s an exceptional athlete with above-average speed. Rosario makes things look easy defensively, showing good feet around the bag and the range and body control to make any play at shortstop. He has good hands and a plus arm with the ability to throw from all angles. Managers expect him to reduce his error total with experience and they say he could remain at shortstop, but he could also profile at third base as he fills out. Rosario also drew rave reviews for his hitting ability. He has above-average bat speed with natural whip and a rare ability to drive the ball and create loud contact for his age, and he excels at hitting to the opposite field. He will need to shorten his stroke, improve on handling pitches on the inner half and polish his strike-zone discipline. ?He could be a star,? a scout said. ?He is 17 and can drive the ball to right-center field like a man. He has very good feel to hit and his swing generates a lot of leverage. I think he can have 20-25 home run power. I think he can be a shortstop because he has all the tools and he can run.?

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #8 prospect in 2017
• Ranked Baseball America's #58 prospect in 2016
• Ranked Baseball America's #98 prospect in 2015

• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: Sandy Alderson took the reins as Mets general manager after the 2010 season and promoted Chris Becerra to international scouting director in 2012. Becerra had previously worked as an area scout in Southern California--he recommended Robert Gsellman for the 2011 draft--and in his new role focused on Rosario as his first major acquisition. The Mets signed the Dominican shortstop for $1.75 million on July 2, 2012, and that bonus amount stands as a franchise record for an international amateur. Rosario, who was teammates with Rangers right fielder Nomar Mazara as a youth in Santo Domingo, graduated from high school before turning pro. His father, who was a lawyer and a judge, helped steer the signing process. Rosario wowed the Mets at instructional league after signing and made his pro debut at Rookie-level Kingsport in 2013, ranking as the No. 1 prospect in Appalachian League at age 17. After ranking as the top position prospect in the short-season New York-Penn League in 2014, he shot up to high Class A St. Lucie in 2015 and opened 2016 back there before earning a promotion to Double-A. Scouting Report: Tall and lean, Rosario began to fill out his frame and swing the bat with more authority in 2016. He also improved his pitch selectivity and bat-to-ball skills, resulting a career-best .324 average and walk rate of 7.6 percent across high Class and Double-A, while his .833 OPS ranked fourth among all minor league shortstops. His bat plays best when he lets the ball travel and uses his hands, strong wrists and plus bat speed to drive the ball to all fields. Capable of turning on the ball for occasional pull power, Rosario set a new personal standard with five home runs and .135 isolated slugging percentage in 2016. While his strikeout rate crept into dangerous territory at Double-A, Rosario has all the tools to be a plus hitter with possibly fringe-average power. Plus speed and strong instincts will help him take extra bases and steal perhaps 20 bags per season. The best athlete in the Mets system, Rosario stands out most for his glove work. Managers in both the Florida State and Eastern leagues recognized him as the best defensive shortstop in those leagues in 2016, and he has the easy plus range and arm strength to profile as a true impact defender. He will improve his throwing accuracy with experience, but scouts rave about his hands, live body and infield actions.
  
  The Future: Rosario has the potential to be an all-star shortstop with Gold Glove potential who can bat near the top of a lineup. He might begin 2017 back at Binghamton to refine his plate discipline, but he could push his way into the big league picture later in the season. The Mets have Asdrubal Cabrera under contract through 2017, meaning Rosario could be the organization's full-time shortstop at some point in 2018.