Amed fast becoming player Mets envision
DENVER — All you need to do is look around the Mets infield to realize how much is riding on Amed Rosario. The Mets need him to become a star — and fast. As fast as he runs. There is much to learn for Rosario, including some key major league shortcuts for shortstops.
That process began in earnest on Day 2 of his major league career Wednesday night at Coors Field as the Mets stormed back from a 5-0 deficit to destroy the Rockies, 10-5.
Rosario, 21, gives the Mets something they so desperately need, athleticism, and incredibly quick feet.
“Man, he’s a good-looking player,’’ manager Terry Collins told The Post after watching Day 2.
Both Collins and veteran second baseman Neil Walker said Rosario eventually will need to go to his backhand more to get off a more forceful throw to first base with a better angle to the bag on some balls in the hole.
Rosario made two fine plays Wednesday night, a play he did not make in his major league debut Tuesday night in a 5-4 loss to the Rockies, leading to a base hit by Trevor Story in the fifth inning. Then in the ninth on Tuesday, Rosario did not hold his ground long enough with the baserunner at first moving as DJ LeMahieu’s smash clanked off his glove for a hit.
These are the shortstop lessons you only learn in the majors.
On Wednesday night it was a different story as Rosario deftly circled two ground balls in the third inning to get a better angle, and he was so quick with his feet he didn’t have to backhand, first throwing Story out and then opposing pitcher Tyler Chatwood.
He also made a diving grab up the middle in the third. Ground was covered.
“The backhand allows him to get in a better throwing position,’’ Collins said. “That’s what he has got to learn, when we talk about the speed of the big leagues, that’s what we mean.’’
Walker said he’s confident Rosario will get better with time.
“I think his progression is going to be very natural,” Walker said. “I think seeing how fast he moves in the game, he almost moves fast to a fault. Like the first hit of the game [Tuesday], nine out of 10 shortstops don’t get in front of that ball, they backhand it. I think if he backhands that ball and steps and throws, he probably gets him out.
“I think for him it’s going be more on the mental side, on defense, how to read hitters’ swings, understanding positioning, and on offense, understanding how he will be pitched where he is hitting in the order,’’ Walker said. “As far as the skill-set, it’s all there.’’
And more. When he puts the ball in play, Rosario burns down the line.
Offensively, Rosario showed an adjustment with Curtis Granderson at first in the fifth inning, he bounced a ball down the thirdbase line past glove wizard Nolan Arenado. Rosario sped around the bases so quickly that even though a fan scooped up the ball in play, Rosario was still awarded third base, giving him the first triple of his major league career and his first RBI.
“I’m always taking the extra base if I can,’’ Rosario said through a translator. “I really trust my legs and when that ball is in front of me, I feel comfortable taking the extra base.’’
Rosario became only the third Met to manage a triple by his second game, the other two being Marco Scutaro on July 22, 2002 and Lute Barnes on Aug. 9, 1972. Rosario’s mentor Jose Reyes is Mr. Triple for the Mets, with 109 during his time with the team.
As for his improved defense Rosario said, “I’ve been focusing on making those kind of plays. It came from all the prep.’’ Regarding making backhand plays, Rosario noted, “I feel comfortable going to my backhand but I also feel that if you can get it in front of you, that’s always much better, more comfortable.’’
Rosario has the quick feet and soft glove to make all the plays, something the Mets haven’t had in a long time.