Wilin Arismendy Rosario Hernández (born February 23, 1989) is a Dominican professional baseball catcher and first baseman who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies, the KBO League for the Hanwha Eagles, Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hanshin Tigers, and the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the Uni-President Lions.
Wilin Rosario | |
---|---|
Free agent | |
Catcher / First baseman | |
Born: Bonao, Dominican Republic | February 23, 1989|
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
Professional debut | |
MLB: September 6, 2011, for the Colorado Rockies | |
KBO: April 1, 2016, for the Hanwha Eagles | |
NPB: March 30, 2018, for the Hanshin Tigers | |
CPBL: April 3, 2022, for the Uni-President Lions | |
MLB statistics (through 2015) | |
Batting average | .273 |
Home runs | 71 |
Runs batted in | 241 |
KBO statistics (through 2017) | |
Batting average | .330 |
Home runs | 70 |
Runs batted in | 231 |
NPB statistics (through 2018 season) | |
Batting average | .242 |
Home runs | 8 |
Runs batted in | 40 |
CPBL statistics (through 2022 season) | |
Batting average | .357 |
Home runs | 1 |
Runs batted in | 4 |
Teams | |
On September 6, 2011, Rosario made his MLB debut. He batted 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored, as his Rockies defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks, 8–3. Rosario appeared in a total of 16 games for the Rockies that season. He posted a .204 batting average, hit 3 home runs and totalled 8 RBI.[1]
During the 2012 season, Rosario saw action in 117 games with the Rockies. He finished 4th in the 2012 NL Rookie of the year voting, after hitting .270 with 28 home runs and 71 RBI.[2][3] Rosario topped all MLB catchers in home runs with 28 in 2012.[4]
In 2013, Rosario set career highs in games played (121), batting average (.292), RBIs (79) and hits (131). In 2014, Rosario experienced a dropoff in production, regressing in power and in average despite striking out less. His defense behind the plate did not improve as well, leading the majors for the third straight season in pass balls.
With the addition of Nick Hundley in the 2015 season, the Rockies moved Rosario to first base full-time, only playing catcher in case of a game emergency. For the 2015 season, Rosario's role on the team was part-time first baseman and pinch hitter, appearing only in 87 games for the Rockies. Rosario was designated for assignment by the Rockies after the 2015 season.[5]
Rosario signed with the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization for the 2016 season. In two seasons with the Eagles, Rosario hit .330 with 70 home runs and 231 runs batted in.
On December 14, 2017, Rosario signed with the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
On February 1, 2019, Rosario signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins. He opened the 2019 season with the Rochester Red Wings. He became a free agent following the 2019 season.[6]
On January 16, 2020, Rosario signed with the Pericos de Puebla of the Mexican League.[7] Rosario did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Mexican League season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[8] In 31 games, Rosario slashed .319/.369/.521 with 5 home runs and 17 RBI before he was released by Puebla on July 13, 2021.[9]
On January 6, 2022, Rosario signed with the Uni-President Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League for the 2022 season.[10][11] He only played in 5 games before he suffered a leg injury on April 8. Rosario was released by the team on June 2, 2022.[12]
On July 5, 2022, Rosario signed with the Mariachis de Guadalajara of the Mexican League.[13] Rosario appeared in 27 games for Guadalajara, hitting a robust .413/.481/.641 with 5 home runs and 29 RBI.
On February 15, 2023, Rosario was released by the Mariachis.[14]