Twins going all out to help Rosario win Final Vote

Minnesota players, coaches wearing 'Vote Rosie' T-shirts before Monday's game

July 9th, 2018

MINNEAPOLIS -- Before Monday's game, Twins players and coaches ditched the normal dry-fit shirts and warmup layers for a look that was more -- or less -- casual.
VOTE Rosie: 2018 Camping World MLB Final Vote
The squad was sporting tuxedo T-shirts with "Vote Rosie" printed on the back and have launched a full campaign in order to get Twins outfielder into the 2018 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Nationals Park. Rosario is one of five players vying for the final spot on the American League roster as part of the Camping World MLB Final Vote.
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"I feel good right now when I see everybody trying to help me," Rosario said. "I feel happy that everybody is trying to say, 'Hey, you should be going to the All-Star Game. You're doing a good job right now.' I'm working hard for them. Now it's out of my hands. It's the fans' decision."
The Twins' public relations staff hatched the idea for the shirts and are unleashing them in tandem with the Twitter campaign #AcceptThisRosie -- a play on words from the popular reality show "The Bachelor."
Rosario has been a crucial part of the Twins' offense this season. With many of their everyday players slowed by injuries, Rosario has stepped up and become one of the more dangerous bats in the Minnesota lineup. He leads the club with a .301 batting average and has 18 homers and 53 RBIs while playing above-average defense in left field. According to Baseball-Reference, he has 0.6 defensive WAR, a marked improvement over last season (minus-1.6).
"I look at everything he's accomplished in the first half of this year," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "He's amongst the league leaders in several categories, he leads the Twins in almost every offensive category. It doesn't even include what an exciting player he is, what he can do on the bases, what he can do on defense. For me to imagine that there are x amount of players on that All-Star team that are better is almost unfathomable."

Rosario broke out during the second half of last season while helping the Twins make a late playoff push. This season, Molitor believes the dynamic 26-year-old has been able to play with more discipline while still bringing that same energy to the ballpark each night.
"He's been a lot better than even last year," Molitor said. "It was a process, but not atypical for a lot of guys who learn how to apply themselves day in and day out, not taking days off, understanding how your teammates depend on you and being one of those guys who can be depended upon.
"Little comments that he makes to me on a daily basis give me an indication that his head is in the game, about the situation, about, 'Would this be a good time to bunt?' The other day he was DHing and asked, 'You want me to start thinking about going and playing defense the last couple innings?' He's just seeing the bigger picture so much better."

Fans can cast votes for the final player on each league's roster -- on computers, tablets and smartphones -- exclusively online as part of the 2018 Camping World MLB Final Vote, as well as via the MLB At Bat and MLB Ballpark mobile apps, until Wednesday at 3 p.m. CT.
Then on Tuesday, July 17, while watching the 2018 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard live on FOX, fans can submit their choices for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet with the 2018 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote.
The 89th Midsummer Classic, at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 180 countries. FOX Deportes will provide Spanish-language coverage in the United States, while ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network, MLB.com and SiriusXM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage.
For more information about MLB All-Star Week and to purchase tickets, visit AllStarGame.com and follow @MLB and @AllStarGame on social media.
Minnesota re-signs Jorge
The Twins announced Monday that they have re-signed 24-year-old right-hander . Jorge had been designated for assignment by the club on June 29.
When a player's contract is designated for assignment -- often abbreviated "DFA" -- that player is immediately removed from his club's 40-man roster, and 25-man roster if he was on that as well. Within seven days of the transaction (it was previously 10 days), the player must either be traded, released or placed on irrevocable outright waivers.
In an injury-marred season, Jorge has made just two appearances for the Twins' Rookie-level affiliate in the Gulf Coast League, with his last one coming June 22.
Prior to his release, Jorge was the Twins' No. 16 overall prospect. He made his Major League debut with Minnesota in 2017 and went 1-0 with a 10.57 ERA in two appearances.