Whenever you recognize the name of a prospect in a trade you most likely wince just a little bit because you’ve probably seen that guy do something special at a young age in the minor leagues. Now, this wasn’t exactly the Michael Busch trade for Jackson Ferris and Zyhir Hope, but boy do I just love the high-potential of outfield prospect Alfonsin Rosario.
On Wednesday, the Cubs traded their 2023 sixth round draft pick to the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for 28-year-old relief pitcher Eli Morgan. Rosario, 20, played in 109 games at low-A Ball for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans and hit 16 home runs, slashing .230/.344/.423 and posted a 127 wRC+ in 456 plate appearances during the 2024 season.
However, this is actually a great sign from the organization because if you can take a 20-year-old from A-Ball and turn him into a solid MLB reliever, then your farm system is doing well. Plus, you could argue that the Cubs have probably already replaced Rosario’s power hitting profile with a few of their 2024 draft picks and while I do think Rosario could turn out to be good, he’s also a very flawed player.
Rosario is tooled up, but he had 3rd-percentile contact and 2nd-percentile swing-miss in the minors (aka, bad).
— Lance Brozdowski (@LanceBroz) November 20, 2024
Morgan is a track-record RP, 3 years of control, banger CH. This is one route to build bullepn depth if you don't want to pay bigger RPs on the market. https://t.co/pbyYo1B21Z
Long-story short, good move by the Cubs. Use prospect capital, trust that you can replenish the minor league system and get a useful MLB player out of it. Well done.
(Draft reaction)
Yes, I am watching highlights of these guys for the first time, and well sorry if I’m too excited about sixth round pick Alfonsin Rosario. Is this 19-year-old outfielder going to be good? No idea. Does this guy have star potential? Oh hell yeah.
The Cubs selected Rosario with the 176th overall pick of the 2023 MLB Draft and when you begin to look at his highlights, then you’ll realize why fans are excited about the outfielder.
A huge congratulations to our very own Alfonsin Rosario on being drafted by the @Cubs ! pic.twitter.com/WAhiPQBML4
— P27 Academy (@P27Blacksmiths) July 10, 2023
This dude has LOUD tools. Hits the ball hard. Throws the ball hard.
‘23 Alfonsin Rosario | @P27Blacksmiths
— PBR North Carolina (@PrepBaseballNC) March 22, 2023
Chipola commit
First of his two long HR’s on the night. Both on breaking balls.
@PBR_SC @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/wEMeQ3kWnk
Love his name. Love his swing. Alfonsin Rosario. Can’t wait to see him play in the minor leagues with the Cubs.
the only draft analysis that matters
— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) July 10, 2023
Alfonsin Rosario: 10/10 star name potential
also thispic.twitter.com/y0ydK62d71
