When the Atlanta Braves acquired Eddie Rosario on the cheap at the trade deadline, he was slugging .389 with the Cleveland Indians.
That slugging percentage is often associated with a light-hitting backup infielder, so it’s safe to say Rosario was struggling mightily.
He was having a very bad season to that point, but the Braves, hungry for starting-caliber outfielders and depth after the Ronald Acuna Jr. injury and the Marcell Ozuna legal situation, decided to have faith in him.
He responded to that faith by hitting .271/.330/.573 with seven home runs and a .903 OPS in 96 at-bats with Atlanta.
It was night and day for Rosario, as if playing for a contending team revitalized him.
He played sparingly because the Braves also traded for Joc Pederson, Adam Duvall, and Jorge Soler, but he made every game count.
Atlanta, against all odds, turned around its season and won the National League East.
They eliminated the Milwaukee Brewers 3-1 in the National League Division Series, and are currently up 3-1 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, one of the best teams in baseball, in the Championship Series.
The Braves’ Postseason MVP
Unsurprisingly at this point, Rosario has been behind all that success.
He hit .308 and drove in two runs against Milwaukee, and although his OPS wasn’t particularly high at .665, it was only a preview of what was going to come.
In a team with sluggers such as Duvall, Austin Riley, Pederson, Ozzie Albies, and of course Freddie Freeman, it’s Rosario as the one who is carrying the Braves in the NLCS.
On Wednesday night, Rosario was the offensive star with four hits in five trips to the plate.
He hit two home runs, a single, and a triple.
AND THIS ONE IS UP AND OUT! @Braves Eddie Rosario cleared the bases and @Dodgers stadium with a stunning three run homer #BattleATL #ForTheA #ATLvsLAD #NLCS pic.twitter.com/4nQnf3VdU4
— Christopher (@Knowmader) October 21, 2021
He came to bat for a last time in the ninth inning, needing a double to hit for the cycle.
He hit the ball over the fence.
In the Braves’ 9-2 victory, Rosario scored three runs and drove in four.
He was the driving force behind Atlanta’s third win of the series, and he has been a hitting machine all series long.
A Monster Series To This Point
He is hitting .588/.632/1.059 with two homers, six RBI, 18 total bases and a 1.690 OPS in four games against the Dodgers.
Eddie Rosario is batting .588 (10 for 17) in the NLCS.
— Kyle Glaser (@KyleAGlaser) October 21, 2021
He has also crossed the plate five times in the four games and has 10 hits in 17 at-bats.
If the Braves finish the job and end up advancing to the World Series, Rosario will likely be a top candidate (perhaps the best) to end up with NLCS MVP honors because of his incredible contributions.
Not bad for a guy that was seen as depth a few months ago.
Los Angeles’ pitchers have had no answer for Rosario all series long: plain and simple.
He also hasn’t been slowed by lefties, as he hit a triple and a home run off Julio Urias (a Cy Young candidate, no less) last night.
He has been everything the Braves had hoped for and more.
While the series is 3-1 in the Braves’ favor, it would be foolish to rule out the Dodgers.
But if they end up making it to the Fall Classic, it will be, in great part, because of Rosario’s potent bat.
NEXT: Braves Absolutely Blew Chance To Take A Commanding NLCS Lead
