Mets: Amed Rosario is finally looking like the player we hoped he would be
![NEW YORK, NY - MAY 05: Amed Rosario #1 of the New York Mets runs to first base after hitting a single to left in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field on May 5, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Frisingapple-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F05-2F955121470-850x560-c6bb4a2fc5521cf875ec840de887ddb7.jpg)
After nearly one year in the majors, New York Mets shortstop Amed Rosario is finally showing signs of breaking out of his freshman slump.
Looking at players like Gleyber Torres, Ronald Acuna, or Miguel Andujar can be depressing to a New York Mets fan. It’s puzzling to see rookies come up from the minor leagues and immediately make positive impacts. It seems as if whenever a Mets’ player comes up, though, he struggles mightily. This has been the case with Amed Rosario. At least, until very recently.
In 2017, Rosario played in 46 games, batting .248, with just 12 extra base hits. His defense wasn’t what it was advertised to be, and his offense lacked consistency. Finally, it seems as if he has begun to turn the corner.
This season, Rosario has played in 51 games, batting .265 with three home runs and 18 RBIs. He has also flashed his world-class speed by legging out extra bases and setting Mets records left and right.
Amed Rosario keeps setting #Mets speed marks.
— Matt Kelly (@mattkellyMLB) May 22, 2018
His 9.02-second first-to-home time on Asdrubal Cabrera's RBI double is the fastest by a #Mets player since Statcast came online in 2015. Amed reached a blazing 29.4 feet per second. ??? pic.twitter.com/2xWRJlBL9V
During the recent road trip, Rosario kept his foot on the gas pedal – batting .333, with a homer, a triple, a double, and 4 RBIs in the last seven games.
The same can be said about his defense. Just last night, Rosario made a potentially game-saving play. In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Braves were threatening to knot up the game with runners on the corners with just one out. Nick Markakis hit a scorcher up the middle. With Rosario fully stretched out, he made the flip to second for one and Cabrera fired it onto first to get the double play. Rosario very well could have saved the game for the Mets.
Mets manager Mickey Callaway commented on Rosario’s recent success:
“I think that obviously he’s gonna have his ups and downs because he’s a young player,” he said. “But his ups are probably much better than he’s ever been. Those are the times you look at to determine, ‘Hey, this kid is going to be a really good player one day.’ “
Next: Who do we blame for the bullpen struggles?
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The Mets hope that Rosario can keep up his sudden offensive explosion and slick defensive play.