Scouting Report Update: Jeisson Rosario

At this year's trade deadline, the Red Sox added two more top-20 prospects to the system. Today, we post our initial scouting report on one of those players, outfielder Jeisson Rosario. Acquired along with Hudson Potts from the San Diego Padres for Mitch Moreland, Rosario enters the SoxProspects rankings at number 11 today.

Physical Description: Medium-sized frame. Extremely athletic. Has some remaining projection in upper half. Needs to add strength.

Hit: Starts slightly open with his hands high. Utilizes a toe-tap timing device. Quick wrists, but bat can drag due to his lack of strength. Swing could use some refinement, primarily in making it simpler. Doesn't make great quality of contact and struggles to pull the ball with any authority. Can get slap-happy at the plate, looking to push the ball in play the other way. Advanced feel for the strike zone for his age. Above-average plate discipline, has always shown a willingness to take a walk. Potential average hit tool, but has the potential to develop into more than that if he can add strength and refine his swing.

Power: Will show fringe-average raw power in batting practice, but hasn't translated in games yet. Doesn't look to drive the ball and swing lacks loft, so in-game power is limited to line drives to the gaps. Currently the one major hole in his game. Well below-average power potential.

Run: Plus speed. Speed translates on both offense and defense. Still needs to learn the art of stealing bases and improve his baserunning instincts.

Field: Strong instincts and reads. Very quick first step. Really can go get it with great closing speed. Will make highlight-reel plays, fun to watch. Potential plus defender in center field.

Arm: Above-average arm. Plenty for any outfield position.

Career Notes: Was considered one of the top players in his international class and was part of Padres IFA class that cost $78 million in bonuses and taxes. Skipped the DSL and headed right to the Arizona League in 2017, holding his own offensively. Has been age-advanced relative to his level early in his career. Was hampered by a hamstring injury in 2019. Tremendous athlete, has been known to do Ozzie Smith-style backflips on the field to celebrate wins and can throw with both arms.

Summation: Potential bench outfielder who brings defense and speed to the table, but ceiling is much higher. If he adds strength and shows some power potential, along with his hit tool improving, could develop into a starting center fielder and lead-off hitter for a competing team. Wide gap between his floor and his ceiling. Speed and defense are known, but has a lot of questions offensively, especially with his swing. Has always been very young for his age and has shown a remarkable knowledge of the strike zone. Exciting player who has the potential to add value in many ways if he reaches his potential.

Ian Cundall is Director of Scouting for SoxProspects.com. Follow him on Twitter @iancundall.

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