Top 25 Mets Prospects for 2015, #8: Amed Rosario

The latest up-and-coming shortstop in the Mets system climbs up national rankings as well.

Signed by the New York Mets as a non-drafted free agent out of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on July 2nd, 2012 ($1,750,000).

2014 Statistics:

Rob says:

"Rosario received a team-record $1.75 million contract back in 2012 and it's not hard to see why. In short, the 19-year-old represents a package of tools and ability at a premium position the likes of which this system hasn't seen since Carlos Gomez or Jose Reyes. While he isn't quite on that level athletically, Rosario is an extremely physical player with all the tools to handle shortstop, while projecting for the kind of raw strength that points to a potent bat. Perhaps more importantly, he already features the kind of special bat speed that makes scouts drool and pairs it with an approach beyond his years.

While his final totals from 2014 won't necessarily knock your socks off, it's important to remember that Rosario was many years younger than his NYPL competition last season. For reference, only two other Mets minor leaguers under the age of 19 have EVER posted an OPS above .700 at that level -- and the last was Edgardo Alfonzo (the other was none other than Wally Backman, for the Little Falls Mets in 1977). In short, the potential for a multi-dimensional, legit star-level performer at the most crucial defensive position on the field overrides the risk remaining in this profile, of which there is, admittedly, plenty."