PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Mets’ top prospect Amed Rosario used his first swing of his first big league spring training to announce his arrival. And Mets’ manager Terry Collins heard him loud and clear.
“My impression (Sunday), when we first started batting practice, the first pitch he saw, he hit it off of the batter’s eye. Which is eye-catching,” Collins said. “Looks like he’s got a good eye, good hands and I just can’t wait to see him play.”
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Two days later, the shortstop was taking batting practice with a crowd so large it rivaled the one on the opposing field where stars like Yoenis Cespedes were working out. Fans chanted his name, “Amed! Amed!” trying desperately to get his attention. They asked him to sign batting gloves, baseballs, t-shirts and even their arms. But Rosario just got back to work.
This, for a kid who hasn’t even played in Triple-A yet.
It wasn’t just the kids who were watching: Mets general manager Sandy Alderson and assistant GM J.P. Ricciardi also watched Rosario and Dominic Smith, the second-best prospect in the organization, take batting practice on Monday and Tuesday.
Rosario grew up admiring another Dominican shortstop who developed his game in Queens: Jose Reyes. He was able to spend time with Reyes last season and has attached himself to the Mets’ fan favorite this season.
Collins said Reyes is the perfect player to mentor Rosario.
“He’s tremendous,” Collins said. “You can see him spending a lot of time with Rosario, and I told Rosario, ‘You need to hang around with this guy.'”
A 6-foot-2, 190-pound shortstop out of the Dominican Republic, Rosario has been praised for his athleticism, glove work and overall defensive range. He has a strong arm and makes dynamic plays up the middle. At the plate, he has a quick bat that many say will translate to power once he commands the strike zone a little better.
Rosario made a name for himself with his defense, but it’s offense he loves. After a promotion to Double-A last season, Rosario hit .341 with 36 RBIs and two home runs in 54 games. When asked if he’d rather make a big play with his glove or get a big hit, he quickly responded (through a translator) that he’d rather get a hit. And when he was told that he was known for his defense, he said, “Yes, but I love to hit.”
And the Mets will love that hitting for it for a long time to come.
Abbey Mastracco may be reached at amastracco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @abbeymastracco. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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