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 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).