DENVER _ When Amed Rosario debuts at Citi Field on Friday night against the Dodgers, his father and three sisters will be watching from the stands.
Having them present will make the day all the more memorable for the 21-year-old.
"I'm very excited to play at home (Friday) just because my family is going to be there and I think that's a dream," Rosario said through a translator Thursday.
After debuting at Coors Field against the Rockies, Rosario's home debut will be with the Dodgers in town. Rosario will surely receive a rousing ovation as Mets fans have been waiting for this for months.
Rosario went 1 for 4 with a triple and run scored in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Rockies at Coors Field. Hansel Robles issued a walk-off walk to Nolan Arenado, and the Mets (49-57) finished 4-6 on this three-city road trip.
"I have a decent idea of what's going to happen tomorrow," Rosario said.
Rosario's first game at Citi Field is the most anticipated home debut since Yoenis Cespedes' debut after being acquired in 2015, and there should be a buzz at Citi Field that has not been there for most of the season. Rosario was the No. 2 prospect in the minors according to MLB.com, and should be a franchise cornerstone for years to come.
Mets manager Terry Collins believes it helps younger players to debut on the road, especially starting pitchers. Michael Conforto debuted at Citi Field in 2015, but he was not nearly as touted as Rosario since he had yet to play in Class AAA.
Collins joked with his coaching staff Friday by telling them he planned to give Rosario the day off Friday.
"There's no preparing for it. You can't possibly. You've got to experience it," Collins said. There are 15 (media members) here, there will be 115 (Friday)."
In Thursday's loss, Rosario again showcased his speed by lacing a triple into the left-center gap to start the fifth inning. He later scored to even the game at 2-all.
Rosario now has two triples in his first three games, and is 3 for 12 with an RBI with two runs scored. He has hit seventh in each of his starts.
The shortstop also helped record a key out in the seventh inning with his relay throw cutting down DJ LeMahieu at third base for the second out in a 4-4 game. LeMahieu was too aggressive in trying to turn his double into a triple especially with Arenado due up, and Cespedes and Rosario made good throws to nail the second baseman.
Arenado followed with a double that would have scored LeMahieu.
In the ninth, Robles allowed the winning run while allowing just one ball to be put in play.
Robles hit the leadoff batter before a sacrifice bunt advanced the runner, and then issued an intentional walk to avoid Charlie Blackmon. Robles then walked LeMahieu, and walked Arenado with a pitch over his head despite getting ahead in the count, 0-2.
