Cleveland Indians: 3 things to know about Eddie Rosario

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Get to know more about the newest Cleveland Indians outfielder Eddie Rosario by learning three key facts about the former division rival.

The Cleveland Indians made what is likely to be their biggest addition of the offseason over the weekend as they reportedly agreed to terms with Minnesota Twins outfielder Eddie Rosario on a one-year, $8 million deal.

Rosario played a key role in back-to-back AL Central titles for the Twins the last two seasons and has helped guide Minnesota to the postseason three of the last four seasons.

The native of Puerto Rico spent each of his first six major league seasons as a Twin and now will join what has been the teams’ biggest division rival during his career as the Indians and Twins have finished first and second in the division each of the last four seasons with both teams winning two division titles and each earning one Wild Card berth.

With Rosario now set to join the Tribe, here are three key facts to know about the Indians’ new starting right or left fielder.

TORONTO, CANADA – AUGUST 26: Eddie Rosario #20 of the Minnesota Twins reacts after striking out in the fourth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays on August 26, 2016 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images /

Perhaps what Rosario is best known for is the fact he’s an all or nothing hitter. While the left-handed power bat is a threat to go deep every time he’s at the plate, he also strikes out at a high rate and struggles to work walks.

From 2017-2019, Rosario hit at least 24 home runs, including a single-season career-high 32 in 2019. However, that season his on-base percentage was just .300 and his career-high OBP is only .328.

In his career, Rosario has never worked more than the 35 walks he drew in 2017. In comparison, longtime Indian Carlos Santana, who Rosario will replace in the power department in 2021 with Santana in Kansas City’s career-low for walks in a full season, was 88 (2017).

Thus, Rosario’s power will clearly help an Indians team that struggled to drive the ball out of the yard last season, but he will not help at all in replacing the remarkable plate-discipline provided by Santana nine of the last ten years.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 07: Eddie Rosario #20 of the Minnesota Twins celebrates after hitting a home run against the New York Yankees on October 7, 2019 in game three of the American League Division Series at the Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /

As mentioned earlier, Rosario has helped guide the Twins to the postseason three-times during his six seasons in Minnesota as the team clinched a 2017 Wild Card Birth and won the AL Central in both 2017 and 2019.

While Rosario’s bat was kept silent in the Twins’
two-game AL Card series loss to the Houston Astros last season, he had success against the New York Yankees in both the 2017 Wild Card game and 2019 ALDS.

In 2017, he slugged a two-run first-inning home run for the Twins that gave the team a 3-0 lead as Brian Dozier also went deep in the inning. He went 1-3 with a walk on the night but was unable to lead the Twins to victory as the Yankees won the game 8-4.

During the 2019 ALDS, Rosario and the Twins were swept aside by the Yankees, but the outfielder did go 4-13 in the series with a home run and RBI logging a .308/.308/.615 slash line.

With the American League down and an extended postseason still an option for MLB, if the Indians do sneak into the playoffs, they’ll have a fairly reliable playoff bat in Rosario.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 13: Eddie Rosario #20 of the Minnesota Twins throws against the Cleveland Indians on September 13, 2020 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /

While Rosario is best known for his power at the plate, he also has a cannon for an arm in the outfield that ranks among the best in baseball.

Rosario has played all three outfield positions during his career, but his best work has come in the corners (right and left field).

In his career, he recorded 53 outfield assists, including 16 as a rookie in 2015 and five during last year’s COVID shortened season.

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Having played his entire career in the AL Central, Rosario should have plenty of familiarity with Progressive Field’s dimensions as well as those of the Indians division foes, which also should help his defensive success and cannon for an arm transfer over to Cleveland.

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Get to know more about the newest Cleveland Indians outfielder Eddie Rosario by learning three key facts about the former division rival.

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