Eddie Rosario is never talked about as one of the best players in the American League, but the once streaky hitter has been an extremely tough out for opposing pitchers going back to the second half of last season.
Since June 1 of last season, Rosario has had exactly 600 at-bats, and in those 600 he’s batting .305 with 35 homers, 41 doubles, 103 RBI, 95 runs and 12 stolen bases.
Those numbers don’t just scream All-Star, they also put Rosario among baseball’s most dangerous hitters.
Only two players in Major League Baseball finished with 35+ homers and 40+ doubles last season: Tigers/Diamondbacks All-Star Justin Upton (35 homers, 44 doubles) did it in just 557 at-bats and Rockies All-Star Nolen Arenado (37 homers, 43 doubles) had 606 at-bats.
After his three-homer day Sunday, including the walk-off two-run shot to give the Twins a 7-5 win over the Indians, Rosario ranks among the top 10 or 11 in the American League in seven meaningful categories.
- Batting average: 8th (.317)
- Hits: tied 8th (69)
- Homers: tied 11th (13)
- RBI: tied 8th (40)
- Runs: tied 11th (36)
- OPS: 8th (.926)
- WAR: 8th (2.6)
“I can say we didn’t quite figure it out,” Indians catcher Yan Gomes said after Rosario torched them on Sunday, via Cleveland.com. “The guy is on a streak right now and anytime he puts the bat on the ball, it’s been driven somewhere. I think we all know he’s a tremendous player.”
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Rosario is on pace to finish with 203 hits, including 38 homers, 44 doubles and 118 RBI.
Those would be similar to the numbers Justin Morneau put up when he was named the American League MVP in 2006 after hitting .321 with 34 homers, 37 doubles and 130 RBI.
Even more shocking, if Rosario reaches 200 hits, is that he’d be the first Twin to do so since Paul Molitor in 1996.
Rosario is certainly deserving of an All-Star appearance this summer.
