Q and A - German Ahmed Rosario

Hi Mack, What can you tell us about German Ahmed Rosario?  The Mets signed him last month for 1.75 million, but I didn't find him on any top international prospects lists before the signing period started.  The top player on most lists was Gustavo Cabrera who signed for 1.3...Somehow I doubt it, but do they know something nobody else does?  Could the big money on this signing be an explanation for leaving so much money on the table during the June draft? Thanks, Craig Brown

Mack - The Rosario signing really shocked me because of the amount of money the Mets gave away. Baseball America, like many others, didn’t have Rosario in their top 10 International prospect list and it screamed out to me as the International version of the Brandon Nimmo pick.

How big was the bonus? Well, it was $400K more than the Mets have ever given anyone internationally (2005 – Fernando Martinez).

I’m never looking for a surprise in either the first round of the draft, or the top International signing. I want the guy you’re supposed to pick, not some dark horse that one scout is trying to make his bones on.

Also, if I remember correctly, the Mets wasted little time and signing him either which made me think the details of this deal were put to bed well before the signing day came upon us.

A recent scouting report on him going into the draft was:

Rosario might be the most divisive player in Latin America. He has a long, lanky build, good bat speed and raw power in batting practice along with average speed. Some scouts who like Rosario enough to have him ranked as the top prospect in the Dominican Republic, seeing him as a true shortstop who with power who can hit in games. He showed that at the MLB showcase in February in games against Venezuela, going 4-for-7 with a double, a walk and no strikeouts. Supporters like his fielding instincts, hands, arm strength and ability to make the barehanded play. Other scouts see an upright hitter with a leg kick that gets him out on his front foot against off-speed stuff and leads to strikeouts with his uppercut stroke. His body has a lot of room to fill out, so he may end up at third base, but some scouts aren’t sold on his infield actions and see him as a corner outfielder.

Hi Mack, What can you tell us about German Ahmed Rosario?  The Mets signed him last month for 1.75 million, but I didn't find him on any top international prospects lists before the signing period started.  The top player on most lists was Gustavo Cabrera who signed for 1.3...Somehow I doubt it, but do they know something nobody else does?  Could the big money on this signing be an explanation for leaving so much money on the table during the June draft? Thanks, Craig Brown

Mack - The Rosario signing really shocked me because of the amount of money the Mets gave away. Baseball America, like many others, didn’t have Rosario in their top 10 International prospect list and it screamed out to me as the International version of the Brandon Nimmo pick.

How big was the bonus? Well, it was $400K more than the Mets have ever given anyone internationally (2005 – Fernando Martinez).

I’m never looking for a surprise in either the first round of the draft, or the top International signing. I want the guy you’re supposed to pick, not some dark horse that one scout is trying to make his bones on.

Also, if I remember correctly, the Mets wasted little time and signing him either which made me thing the details of this deal were put to bed well before the signing day came upon us.

A recent scouting report on him going into the draft was:

Rosario might be the most divisive player in Latin America. He has a long, lanky build, good bat speed and raw power in batting practice along with average speed. Some scouts who like Rosario enough to have him ranked as the top prospect in the Dominican Republic, seeing him as a true shortstop who with power who can hit in games. He showed that at the MLB showcase in February in games against Venezuela, going 4-for-7 with a double, a walk and no strikeouts. Supporters like his fielding instincts, hands, arm strength and ability to make the barehanded play. Other scouts see an upright hitter with a leg kick that gets him out on his front foot against off-speed stuff and leads to strikeouts with his uppercut stroke. His body has a lot of room to fill out, so he may end up at third base, but some scouts aren’t sold on his infield actions and see him as a corner outfielder.

One additional point... don't be surprised if you don't see Rosario skip the DSL Mets next year and come stateside to eventually open with either Kingsport or Brooklyn. The Mets have extensive history in doing this.