Shipley: Recent infield-convert Rosario could move fast

Perhaps recognizing the changing landscape of what is expected from the second base position, transitioning into more of an offensive role, the Twins have moved left-handed hitting Eddie Rosario from the outfield to the keystone spot.

The Pioneer Press's John Shipley spoke to Twins' minor league director, Jim Rantz, regarding this decision. The pathway to the majors will be the quickest for him at second base:

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"He's got a chance to move up in the system with his offense," Twins minor league director Jim Rantz said. "If he learns his second base, it should be pretty quick."

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And it seems that the Twins are focusing their efforts on getting him acclimated to the positions and setting him up for success by having Tom Kelly and Paul Molitor work with him on developing his infield skills:

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"And he's taken to it. He likes it," Rantz said. "If you have the player buying into it, it's a lot easier making the transition. But again, it's all about his offense. He's athletic enough to make the transition, and he's working with a hall of famer over there. That will help."

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It also seems that despite his power outburst in Elizabethton last year - hitting 21 home runs after tagging just five in the Gulf Coast League - the Twins are not really anticipating that to continue with him as he continues to advance in the system:

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Where Sano still winds up and puts his weight into a ball, Rosario gets his hands through the strike zone with remarkable speed. That's where the power comes from, and though it's unlikely Rosario will be Jeff Kent or Ryne Sandberg - rare, power-hitting second basemen - the Twins believe he will hit for average in the majors.

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From this video, you can see he gets the barrel of the bat through the hitting zone very quickly. It may not translate to 30 home run power, but he could certainly provide some pop at a position that has been historically void of power for the Twins. And, if he adapts to second well, that could happen sooner rather than later

I think he'll stick at Beloit all year because of the transition to 2B. But I woudln't be surprised if he's one of those that could spend 2013 in Ft. Myers and New Britain and be ready sometime in 2014. that would be very aggressive, and I don't anticipate that happening, but he's got a chance. But with the move to 2B, they're going to want to keep him comfortable.

That's certainly a reasonable time-table for him.

I like the bat speed. Moliter's the guy to work with him too. Moliter had maybe the best forearm/hand contribution to bat speed I've seen. Working with my grandson's team, it's become obvious most kids skimp on the hand contribution to the swing. I get them to look at the contribution their wrist provides in driving a nail with a hammer. And then look at applying this to the bat and ball.

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Originally Posted by Seth Stohs

I think he'll stick at Beloit all year because of the transition to 2B. But I woudln't be surprised if he's one of those that could spend 2013 in Ft. Myers and New Britain and be ready sometime in 2014. that would be very aggressive, and I don't anticipate that happening, but he's got a chance. But with the move to 2B, they're going to want to keep him comfortable.

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Ha, yeah quite true. This is definately the Twins kind of development scale. Kind of sad that five years in the system is aggressive though. Garza got the call early because he was nearly ready to go out of college and was already 22 when he arrived. Mauer was also ready, but he was only called up early because the local boy would but fans in the seats. Still, he was forced to spend an entire year in Low A ball despite his .393 OBP and striking out less than he walked. Probably should have had a promotion sometime during the 2002 season.

I understand much of the decsion stems from wanting to keep the players under his rookie contract for more of their prime years instead of paying them free agent money, but it would be a shame if this approach took away a year or two from a player who would have otherwise had 3,000 hits or 300 wins. As a person who enjoys baseball history, this approach dissapoints me. It would be nice to get another prospect like Mauer that is so damn good that he forces the Twins to call him up outside of the half-decade development plan.

For clarity's sake, I'm not saying Rosario is a future historical baseball figure (fingers crossed Sano!) that needs to be rushed. I was just making a generalized opinion about the Twins tortoise like farm system.