The Colorado Rockies could use top prospect Wilin Rosario as the back-up to starting catcher Ramon Hernandez during the 2012 season, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post. Hernandez was recently signed as a free agent to a two-year contract to replace incumbent Chris Iannetta, who was traded to the Los Angeles Angels, as the starting catcher.
Rosario, 23 in February, is considered one of the top catching prospects in the game. He spent most of 2011 in Double-A, compiling a .249/.284/.457 line with 21 home runs in 102 games. He has big-time power, an exceptional throwing arm and solid receiving skills, but as you can tell from his minor league performance, he has major issues with plate discipline and making contact.
John Sickels recently ranked Rosario as the seventh-best prospect in Colorado's farm system, but other talent evaluators have been more positive. Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus ranks Rosario as the third-best prospect in Rockies' system, while Baseball America has Rosario ranked as the fourth-best prospect. The power and arm strength make him so intriguing, but his approach as a hitter may be a major limitation.
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