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Not all ballplayers need to be well-rounded in order to find success. Sometimes, one skill is enough to keep them in demand. That’s the case for Amed Rosario, who’s played for six teams over the last three seasons alone for one simple season: the man hits lefties.
2025 Stats (with Nationals and Yankees): 191 PA, .276/.309/.436, 6 HR, 23 RBI, 16.2 K%, 3.7 BB%, 106 wRC+, 0.4 WAR
2026 ZiPS Projections: 393 PA, .255/.288/.373, 7 HR, 46 RBI, 16.8 K%, 3.8 BB%, 83 wRC+, 0.5 WAR
Rosario began his career as a highly regarded Mets farmhand, rising as high as the number-five prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline. After mixed results in parts of four seasons, he was moved to Cleveland as one of the centerpieces of the blockbuster that brought back Francisco Lindor. Rosario was Cleveland’s primary shortstop for two-and-a-half seasons and, while his hit tool consistently played, the defense was not up to par; among 41 qualified shortstops from 2021-2023, his -27 Outs Above Average ranked dead last.
The Dominican Republic native then began what has been a nomadic journey, usually occupying a niche role as designated lefty masher while failing to carve out a starting job or nail down a single defensive position. His 2025 season was typical of this stage of his career. After starting the year with the Nationals, he was traded to the Yankees in a deadline deal, where he would finish out the year.
In total, he faced lefties in nearly two-thirds of his at-bats and posted an .819 OPS against them, more than 200 points higher than his mark against righties. And, while seeing time at second, third, shortstop, and the outfield (as well as DH and pitcher for good measure) he graded out with -7 OAA. With the Yankees facing tough lefties like Garret Crochet in the postseason, he appeared in four of their seven playoff games, going 3-for-10.
This offseason, the Yankees re-signed the 30-year-old to a one-year, $2.5-million deal to fill a similar role for 2026. It’s a low-risk play that does not prevent the team from pursuing other avenues should he fail to repeat his excellence against southpaws. With lefties Ryan McMahon and Jazz Chisholm Jr. slated for regular playing time at third and second, respectively, it’s easy to see Rosario gaining a path to considerable usage as the weak side of a platoon rotation. It’s also plausible he could see time at corner outfield with lefties Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger installed as everyday players, though Randal Grichuk, who the Yankees recently brought to spring camp as a non-roster invitee and has a similar track record against left-handers, could end up occupying that role instead.
ZiPS is anticipating a pretty significant offensive regression for Rosario from his recently established norm — all three elements of his expected slash line would be his lowest since the COVID-shortened 2020 season. If deployed strategically against left-handers as he was last year, there is good reason to expect him to exceed a .255 batting average. Don’t expect much pop or plate discipline, though, and the defense will be weak wherever he plays. Instead of rostering a higher-ceiling all-around talent, like Jasson Domínguez or Spencer Jones, the Yankees seem likely to enter the season with specialists on their bench while allowing their prospects to see regular playing time at Triple-A. Even if injuries take their toll on the team, expect the front office to look elsewhere for everyday players while allowing Rosario to continue filling his niche.
See more of the Yankees Previews series here.