Minnesota Twins prospect Eddie Rosario suspended for 50 games

Minnesota Twins prospect Eddie Rosario will be suspended 50 games for using a banned substance, multiple sources report. Indications are that Rosario used the as-yet unnamed substance while rehabbing an arm injury.

A fourth-round pick by the Twins in the 2010 draft, Rosario is from Guayama, Puerto Rico. In 2013, he hit .329/.377/.527 in 52 games for High-A Fort Myers, then .284/.330/.412 in 70 games for Double-A New Britain. He was recently ranked as Minnesota's Number Five prospect on Minor League Ball's Top 20 Minnesota Twins prospect list for 2014.

Here is my current scouting report for Rosario, a rough draft of what will appear in the 2014 book.

Eddie Rosario, 2B-OF, Minnesota Twins
Bats: L Throws: R HT: 6-0 WT: 170 DOB: September 28, 1991

Another year, another solid season from Eddie Rosario. The scouting report hasn’t changed much here: he is a line drive hitter with gap power, will knock occasional homers, makes solid contact, controls the strike zone well enough, and plays with enthusiasm and flair. He runs well but isn’t an adept stealer, one of his few weaknesses. Originally an outfielder, he moved to second base in 2012 and is still figuring out the position. Although error-prone, his tools play there and he should continue to improve his reliability with experience. The development of Brian Dozier into a workable regular buys the Twins additional time, and Rosario could always return to the outfield if needed. I still like Rosario and he remains an upper-boundary Grade B prospect

Rosario has a good reputation for makeup and work ethic. Depending on the exact details of what happened, I don't think that will change. The suspension could put his timetable to the majors back somewhat, although as noted in the comment the Twins have Dozier to man the position so there is no need to rush Rosario before he is ready. I would still expect to see Rosario in the major leagues some time in 2014.

MORE FROM MINOR LEAGUE BALL

Minnesota Twins Top 20 prospects for 2014

Brian Dozier: Breakthrough?