Amed Rosario’s starting job was safely announced last week. Now the Mets need to transform him from an automatic out to a productive hitter.
Perhaps the first step was taken Monday night, when Rosario went 2-for-5 with an RBI in the Mets’ 11-4 victory over the Marlins.
Sure, Rosario’s biggest hit of the game was a gift – Jon Berti spanked in the wrong direction on a drive to the right field in the second inning that went for an RBI double – but Rosario gave himself a chance through to hit the ball with authority, which he had missed.
The underperforming shortstop increased its slashline to an even more terrifying .211 / .211 ./. 310, with slick-fielding Andres Gimenez behind him on the depth map.
In 71 flat appearances this season, Rosario is still without a walk. His numerous weak contacts has been a concern.
“[Rosario] needs to be more disciplined with the zone, ”manager Luis Rojas said before the match. ‘We’ve seen how much he expands. This guy has the ability to put the ball on the ball and if you start to spin, you will end up early and bring the ball into play. If you do, the ball will not hit very hard and that is what happens to him. ”
Michael Conforto expressed confidence that the Mets can resume their season in the same way as last year. The Mets used a promotion to the All-Star break in 2019 to stay in the playoff controversy until the final week of the season.
“I think we can all pull things from last year when we played at our best,” said Conforto, who went 1 for 3 on Monday. ‘That part of the year was when everything melted away. There was the trading date. A lot of people said our season was over and we came back to entertain and entertain ourselves and not worry so much about what was going on around the team. ”
Jeff McNeil returned to the starting lineup as the DH after coming off the bench a day earlier as a pinch hitter. McNeil, who missed two games over the weekend after sustaining a bone bruise in his left knee during a collision with the left-wing box at Citi Field, finished 1-for-4 with an RBI.
Top prospect Ronny Mauricio was added to the Mets’ pool of 60 players and catcher Rene Rivera was placed on the 45-day injured list. Rivera, who is sidelined with a hyperextended left elbow, is scheduled to undergo surgery on Wednesday to remove a bone trail from the joint. Mauricio, a shortstop, joins pitcher Matt Allan and catcher Francisco Alvarez under top prospects added to the pool of 60 players in recent days. They all work out on the Mets’ alternative training site in Brooklyn.
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