Rosario defines Twins’ Bomba Power

By Pat Borzi

MINNEAPOLIS — Now they all know. Eddie Rosario’s unpredictability has become predictable.

His Minnesota Twins teammates expect that if there’s an extra base to be taken, a runner to be thrown out, or a big hit needed, Rosario, their energetic left fielder, is going to go for it.

Aggressiveness has been the left handed-batting Rosario’s calling card since his major-league debut in early May 2015, when he stepped in at Target Field against Tampa Bay’s Scott Kazmir, swung at the first pitch he saw and drove a home run to the opposite field. His parents, Eddie Sr. and Maria, flew in from Puerto Rico to see it.

“He has his own way to play the game, free, without being afraid to make mistakes,” said veteran Twins designated hitter Nelson Cruz. “That’s him.”

As much as anyone, Rosario epitomizes the spirit of the free-swinging Twins, who lead the majors in homers, batting average, extra-base hits and slugging percentage. Minnesota challenged the Dodgers for the best record in the majors before slipping back recently, but still leads Cleveland by eight games in the AL Central. He even came up with the nickname “Bomba Squad” for the team. The Twins’ nickname materialized in late May after he told local writers, “Everybody’s happy when you’re hitting a lot of bombas.” The Twins pushed a #BombaSquad hashtag on social media and printed red T-shirts with a funky logo.

Following back-to-back 20-homer, 70-RBI seasons, a strong first half put Rosario in All-Star starting consideration. With 10 homers in his first 21 games, Rosario reached double-figures faster than anyone in club history, breaking a record held by Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett. By late June Rosario had 20 homers, along with 60 RBI, the latter tying him for the A.L. lead.

Then he sprained his left ankle doing a very Eddie thing, trying to stretch a single into a double. The Twins put him on the injured list June 28. When the All-Star teams were announced, Rosario didn’t make it as a starter or a reserve.

He is still on the injured list as his teammates get back to work after the All-Star break. When healthy and active, though, you can count on him to be in the middle of it all for the Twins.

More than his production, Rosario leads the Twins clubhouse in joy. When Miguel Sano homers, Rosario sprints in front of the dugout bearing his arms like a gorilla. If there’s a celebration going on, like the starting outfielders jumping together after a victory, Rosario is usually in the middle of it.

“It’s all about having fun,” Rosario said through translator Elvis Martinez. “It’s a game. Every day I’m here to support my teammates. When someone is not doing well, I just try to put their head back in the game, just have fun, enjoy it. I think that’s what we all work for.”

Twins pitcher Jose Berrios, like Rosario a native of Puerto Rico and his teammate in the Minnesota farm system, relishes his vigor. “That’s how Puerto Ricans are,” he said. “We like to enjoy everything. That’s why when we see Eddie out there, every time, he’s happy.”

A fourth-round pick in the 2010 draft, Rosario reached the majors by playing with abandon. As a rookie more than 45 percent of the pitches he swung at weren’t strikes, per fangraphs.com. Yet he led the majors with 15 triples while batting .267 with 13 homers. And his 16 outfield assists not only led all rookies, but tied Puckett’s club rookie record.

Rosario still chases plenty of pitches outside the zone (44.1 percent this season). But after two-plus seasons working with Twins hitting coach James Rowson, Rosario strikes out less than he used to (13.9 percent, compared to 25.7 percent in 2016) while making more hard contact (41.5 percent, up from 30.1 percent in 2016).

That his batting average on balls in play is only .273, when he’s never been below .300 for a full season in his career, suggests more effective defensive shifting.

“One of the things that I’ve been most impressed with Rosie is his confidence,” said rookie Twins manager Rocco Baldelli.

“When he goes out there, I think he truly believes that he’s the best player on the field. That’s what helps him have the success that he has. He wants to be the one up there hitting. He wants to be the one in the field making a play and making something happen to help his team win. I think he thrives on those types of things. I think that’s a great trait for a ballplayer, and a guy that is going to be as impactful as he is.”

Last season Rosario just missed his first All-Star berth, losing out to Seattle’s Jean Segura in the A.L. Final Vote. As one of six outfielders in this season’s Starters Election, Rosario was intent on making it this time. He had four hits on the first day of voting and two more the next day before his injury, all with two strikes. He ranks seventh in the AL in extra bases taken. That’s Eddie.

“He’s a guy that’s having an incredible season, has a really high baseball IQ and plays the game really hard,” said Twins pitcher Kyle Gibson. “He’s been fun to watch.”

Featured Image: Brace Hemmelgarn / Getty Images Sport