Mets: Impressions of Amed Rosario

He won’t get the call yet according to Sandy Alderson, but Rosario is about as close to ready as can be.

You can read all the scouting reports, but nothing replaces getting to see talent firsthand. I got to see Amed Rosario play for three games when the Las Vegas 51s came to New Orleans over the weekend. Rosario didn’t play the series finale.

What I came away with are a few things: first, his defense is major league ready right now. It started when he made a difficult play on an in-between hop during the first inning of the opening game of the series on Friday. He handled it with such ease and that really set the tone for what you all already knew. Rosario is just a smooth athlete who makes even difficult plays look effortless. That’s what made his nine errors committed so far this season even more surprising.

On Saturday, Rosario started up a few double plays. When Sunday rolled around, Rosario got a start at third. After this weekend, it only re-affirmed the fact that he has the arm strength to play third if/when needed and the athleticism to be an everyday shortstop.

Rosario has had better days at the plate than on this weekend. He went 4-for-14, but his overall approach is at an above average level even though the results from the weekend were average. Rosario doesn’t have pop at the major league level, but I think he can still develop in that aspect. Just to keep things in perspective, he’s only 21 years old and already in the upper echelon of the minors.

The only real question remaining is when Rosario will be called up. The Mets have shown they don’t want to rush things, but Rosario checks most of the boxes already. If the team doesn’t turn things around and winds up becoming sellers at the deadline then Rosario may come up sooner than September.

There are a few factors in play why Rosario isn’t in New York already. Even with the team’s regular starting shortstop in Asdrubal Cabrera injured, there are several options who can at least fill in for the short term. The Mets, despite the injuries, have held their head above water offensively. They’re in the top half of the league in runs scored, doubles, and homers. They’re also third in fewest strikeouts.

Next: Why Michael Conforto needs to be written into ASG

It’s obviously not a question of if but rather when Rosario will get the call.  Getting to watch him last weekend only reassured that notion.