Twins' Rosario refining swing just in time to defend AFL HR Derby title
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Finding ways to stay focused and present when you’re the designated hitter can be tough. It's even more of a challenge when you’re used to playing in the field regularly. Then there are games like the one in which Twins outfield prospect Kala'i Rosario served as DH
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Finding ways to stay focused and present when you’re the designated hitter can be tough. It's even more of a challenge when you’re used to playing in the field regularly.
Then there are games like the one in which Twins outfield prospect Kala'i Rosario served as DH for the Salt River Rafters in the Arizona Fall League on Monday night. A total of 24 runs, 20 hits and 24 walks in Salt River's 13-11 win over Glendale meant a lot of down time in the dugout for Rosario. Luckily, he got by with a little help from his friends.
“It’s hard as it is, DHing, but having teammates who have each other’s backs, having the pitcher’s backs, no matter how the game is going is a big thing,” Minnesota’s No. 19 prospect said. “We keep each other in the game.”
Rosario’s line in the game -- he went 1-for-2 with two runs scored, three walks and four RBIs -- was a microcosm of how the three-hour, 32-minute game unfolded. He walked and scored on a balk in the second. Then with two outs in the third, Rosario followed a single by Nationals No. 13 prospect Robert Hassell III with a long home run (426 feet) to left, making it 6-5 Glendale.
“I was just looking for a good pitch to hit,” Rosario said of his third homer of the fall, which left his bat at a Statcast-projected 108.1 mph. “I got a fastball earlier in the count that I just missed. I kind of had a good idea on how he was attacking me. That’s kind of what I’m here for, just trying to get my best swing off no matter what. I got a good pitch to hit and had a good result.”
Although the 22-year-old didn’t see too many other pitches to hit, he still found ways to be productive. He drew a bases-loaded walk in the fourth to give Salt River an 8-6 lead, then he walked once more in his next plate appearance. It provided him plenty of opportunities as he continues to try to find the balance between staying aggressive at the plate and refining his approach.
“Nothing really changes; if I’m 3-0 and I have the green light, or I’m 2-0, I’m still looking for a pitch to hit,” Rosario said. “I try to keep the same mindset every at-bat, every pitch. I never want to give away at-bats. Competing one pitch at a time is my big thing to do.”
Rosario is back in the Fall League for a second straight year after he missed out on regular-season play for more than two months because of an elbow injury. He feels he's found his rhythm, finally, after playing in just 69 games this year.
“It was slow at first getting back from the injury, but I feel great now, and the swing feels great,” said Rosario, who is hitting .302 with an .871 OPS through 17 AFL games. “I’m still making some adjustments with my swing right now. I think this is the best place to go out there and play the game, see what I need help with, see what I’m doing well.”
📩 CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO BEN'S BIZ
And Rosario is getting his swing perfected just in time to defend his AFL Home Run Derby title. It was announced on Monday that he will be part of Friday’s derby field, giving him the opportunity to be the first two-time winner of the event. But just like how he got through Monday’s long game, Rosario points to his teammates when expressing his excitement about competing.
“I said the No. 1 thing I wanted was at least somebody else on our team to compete too,” Rosario said. “We’ve got [Yankees outfielder] Garrett Martin, so I’m super excited to be competing with him and everyone else who is in it. I had a blast last year. We have two chances to win.”
Rosario and Martin will vie for the title against Surprise's Jac Caglianone (KC No. 1/MLB No. 17) and Carter Jensen (KC No. 5), Mesa's Moises Ballesteros (CHC No. 4/MLB No. 44), Peoria's Brock Wilken (MIL No. 8) and Scottsdale's Josue Briceño (DET No. 9) and Peyton Williams (TOR).
Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLBPipeline.com. Follow him on Facebook and @JonathanMayo, and listen to him on the weekly MLB Pipeline Podcast.
Mighty Mussels Announce 2025 Opening Day Roster, Featuring Three Top 30 Prospects
FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 31, 2025) – In conjunction with the Minnesota Twins, the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels have announced their 2025 Opening Night roster. The roster is highlighted by three players on the Twins Top 30 Prospect list on MLB Pipeline. Left-handed pitcher Dasan Hill (No. 13) is the
Mighty Mussels Announce 2025 Promotional Schedule
FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 26, 2025) – The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels have announced their 2025 promotional schedule – highlighted by Grand Slam Saturdays, fireworks, post-game concerts, theme nights, and specialty jerseys. The 2025 season opens on the road on April 4 in Palm Beach, with the teams’ home opener
Mighty Mussels’ 2025 Schedule and Game Times Finalized
FORT MYERS, Fla. (February 6, 2025) – The Mighty Mussels’ 2025 schedule has been revised and finalized, the league office has announced. In the wake of the stadium accommodations made by the Tampa Bay Rays and Tampa Tarpons, Major League Baseball has adjusted the Florida State League matchups while maintaining
Seth Feldman to Lead Mighty Mussels’ Coaching Staff in 2025
FORT MYERS, Fla. (January 21, 2025) – The Minnesota Twins have announced their minor league coaching assignments Tuesday, including the full staff for the 2025 Mighty Mussels. Seth Feldman has been named the club’s manager for 2025, just the second manager of the Mussels’ era. Brian Meyer has been assigned
Maddux Houghton Receives Harmon Killebrew Award
FORT MYERS, Fla. (September 17, 2024) - Mighty Mussels' outfielder Maddux Houghton has been named the club's 2024 recipient of the Harmon Killebrew Award. An annual award that was created in 2011 to honor the passing of Twins' legend Harmon Killebrew, the Killebrew Award goes to one minor league player
WATCH: Brandon Winokur's 3-Homer Game
WATCH: Kaelen Culpepper Home Run
WATCH: Billy Amick Home Run
Mussels Mash Three Home Runs To Win Regular Season Finale 9-4
LAKELAND, Fla. (September 8, 2024) – The Mighty Mussels matched a season high with three home runs as Fort Myers defeated Lakeland 9-4 in the regular season finale at Joker Marchant Stadium. The Mussels (66-59, 35-25) hit three homers in a game for the third time this season and for
Mussels Rebound with 5-4 Win Over Flying Tigers
LAKELAND, Fla. (September 7, 2024) – The Mighty Mussels snapped their season-high seven game losing streak with a 5-4 victory at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium Saturday. Fort Myers starter Adrian Bohorquez tossed three scoreless innings, striking out four while allowing just one hit and one walk. He averaged
Mussels Eliminated From Playoff Contention After Doubleheader Defeat
LAKELAND, Fla. (September 6, 2024) – The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels were eliminated from playoff contention after being swept in Friday’s doubleheader by the Lakeland Flying Tigers, who clinched the second half championship in the FSL West. The Mussels (64-59, 33-25) had a six-game lead in the standings over Lakeland
Mussels Shut Out by Lakeland 4-0, Fall Out of First Place
LAKELAND, Fla. (September 4, 2024) – The Lakeland Flying Tigers tossed a four-hit shutout Wednesday, taking over first place in the FSL West with a 4-0 win over the Mighty Mussels at Joker Marchant Stadium. Zack Lee (3 IP), Duque Hebbert (4 IP) and Garrett Apker (2 IP) combined to
Flying Tigers Claim Rain-Shortened Game 5-2
LAKELAND, Fla. (September 3, 2024) – The Lakeland Flying Tigers claimed the first game of a critical six-game series Tuesday, winning 5-2 over the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels in six innings at Joker Marchant Stadium. The Flying Tigers (77-48, 35-25) are now 0.5 games behind the Mighty Mussels (64-56, 33-22)
Mussels Swept by Threshers in Saturday Doubleheader
FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 31, 2024) – The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels fell in both ends of their doubleheader against the Clearwater Threshers by final scores of 5-2 and 7-3 on Saturday at Hammond Stadium. The Mussels’ (64-54, 33-19) magic number to clinch a playoff spot remains at seven games
Friday's Mussels-Threshers Game Suspended Due to Field Conditions
FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 30, 2024) - Friday's game between the Mighty Mussels and Clearwater Threshers has been suspended due to unplayable field conditions at Hammond Stadium. The game will be completed at 3:35 p.m. on Saturday. The second game of Friday's doubleheader will be made up as part of
Threshers Top Mussels 8-1 To Even Series
FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 28, 2024) – The Clearwater Threshers defeated the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels 8-1 Wednesday night at Hammond Stadium to even the series at one game apiece. The Mussels (64-53, 33-19) saw their second half lead in the FSL West drop to 3.0 games with 10 games
Sunday's Mussels-Threshers Game Cancelled
FORT MYERS, Fla. (September 1, 2024) - Sunday's game between the Mighty Mussels and Clearwater Threshers has been cancelled due to unplayable field conditions at Hammond Stadium, as deemed by umpires Chad Lagana and Kaden Tichenor. The game will not be made up. All tickets to Sunday's game can be
Thursday's Mussels-Threshers Game Postponed
FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 29, 2024) - Thursday's game between the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels and Clearwater Threshers has been postponed due to unplayable field conditions at Hammond Stadium. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Both games will be seven innings.
Winokur Delivers Walk Off Blast To Beat Threshers 9-7 In Extras
FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 27, 2024) – After a back and forth night of baseball to preview a possible playoff matchup, Brandon Winokur blasted the first pitch of the bottom of the 10th inning onto the left field berm to give the Mighty Mussels a thrilling 9-7 victory over the
Fort Myers Falls Just Short To Lakeland 4-3
FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 18, 2024) – The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels had the tying run thrown out at the plate in the ninth inning on Sunday as the Lakeland Flying Tigers won the series finale 4-3 at Hammond Stadium. With Fort Myers (60-49, 29-14) trailing 4–2 in the bottom
Mussels’ Win Streak Snapped By Lakeland 4-2
FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 17, 2024) – The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels saw their six game win streak come to a close with a 4-2 loss against the Lakeland Flying Tigers Saturday night at Hammond Stadium. The Mussels (60-48, 29-14) second half lead in the FSL West now sits at
Winokur’s Three Home Run Night Powers Fort Myers Past Lakeland 12-2
FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 16, 2024) - Fort Myers cruised past Lakeland 12-2 thanks to a trio of home runs from Brandon Winokur and a stellar performance from the pitching staff on Friday night at Hammond Stadium. Fort Myers (60-47, 29-13) has now won six consecutive games to extend their
Mussels Top Flying Tigers 4-1 To Take 3-0 Series Lead
FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 15, 2024) – The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels extended their second half lead in the FSL West to 5.0 games over the Lakeland Flying Tigers with a 4-1 win on Thursday night at Hammond Stadium. Fort Myers (59-47, 28-13) has now outscored Lakeland (66-42, 24-19) 16-8
Soto, Eighth Inning Rally Lead Mussels Past Tigers 6-3
FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 14, 2024) – Charlee Soto spun five shutout innings as the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels extended their second half lead in the FSL West to 4.0 games with a 6-3 win over the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Wednesday night at Hammond Stadium. Soto threw five shutout
Lares, Bender Lead Mussels Past Flying Tigers 6-2
FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 13, 2024) – The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels extended their second half lead in the FSL West to 3.0 games with a 6-2 win over the Lakeland Flying Tigers Tuesday at Hammond Stadium. Seven of the first eight 2024 Minnesota Twins draft picks made their Hammond