Eddie Rosario Ready For Primetime

Twins outfielder Eddie Rosario fields the ball during outfielder drills at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Fla. on Feb. 28, 2015. (Pioneer Press: John Autey)

I have been a pretty big supporter of Aaron Hicks this season, and still think he brings a lot of value to the Minnesota Twins. However, it appears that the big league club is turning to the youngster, Eddie Rosario first. Per Seth Stohs of Twins daily, it sounds like Rosario is getting the call to replace injured Oswaldo Arcia on the 25 man roster.

There's a few different though processes to sort through here with the latest Twins promotion. On one hand, I feel pretty good about suggesting all offseason that Rosario would in fact be the first prospect called up this year. He was close before dealing with a 50 game drug related suspension, and I though his Arizona Fall League performance only substantiated that. From the get go, early May looked like a good possibility, so I can hang my hat on that. On the flip side, he's scuffled in the early going for Triple-A Rochester, and Hicks has been the better performer.

Through the first 23 games of the 2015 season, Rosario has slashed just .242/.280/.379 for the Red Wings. He's never been a guy that takes a ton of walks, but his OBP is quite a ways off from his career .340 mark. Taken in the 4th round of the 2010 draft, Rosario has hit .291/.340/.480 across his six professional seasons. Now 23 years old, he will be making his big league debut.

Not near the level of Byron Buxton or Miguel Sano, Rosario has plenty to hang his hat on in his own right. Prior to 2014, he was ranked by Baseball Prospectus as their 60th best prospect. He has held his own on the farm for the Twins, and while being an infielder initially, has seamlessly transitioned into the outfield. He will give the Twins an immediate defensive upgrade over Oswaldo Arcia in left field, and should spell the club from using abnormal options like Eduardo Escobar or Eduardo Nunez in the outfield.

The extent or degree of Arcia's injury hasn't yet been discussed, but it will be something worth monitoring. The Twins are generally hesitant to send prospects back and forth between the farm and big leagues. It would seem to reason that the promotion of Rosario would be for the continued future as long as he produces for them. Eventually, Arcia will return from the DL and this could spell the end of the line for a player like Jordan Schafer or Shane Robinson.

Minnesota has yet to make the announcement and nothing has become official. However, it appears that Eddie Rosario will be making his big league debut, and for that, he deserves a congratulations!