By Marc Raimondi
“He's a team player,” the Bryant junior catcher said of Rosado, a shortstop. “He can hit, he can throw, he can field, he can run…When I first saw him, I knew he was special.”The two were playing with the Bonnies, a travel team based out of Brooklyn and, at the time, Rosado was somewhat of a free agent. He played his first two high-school seasons at Aviation, but was jumped and robbed outside the McDonald's on Queens Boulevard near the school last May and he and his parents decided a change was needed.When Ghonim and Rosado met, Rosado had no idea what school he'd end up at in September. So, Ghonim made his pitch: come to Astoria and play for Bryant. Rosado, who lives in Corona, didn't need much convincing. He wasn't happy at Aviation anyway and he was seeking a better baseball program. Because of the robbery in May, Rosado was able to get a safety transfer to Bryant and also become eligible to play his junior year.”It's funny the way things work out sometimes,” Bryant coach Rocco Rotondi said.Rotondi is certainly happy to have him. Rosado is hitting .688 with eight runs scored and 13 stolen bases in six games. Bryant is 5-1 and second place behind Grand Street Campus in Queens West A. Rotondi recently moved Rosado up in the order from third to second to create a spark. The wood bats have nullified even the best hitters' ability, but they haven't had a tremendous effect on Rosado”I expect him to be one of the better hitters in the division,” Rotondi said.But for Rosado, it's all about being happy where he is.”I feel,” he said, “comfortable here.”Reach Associate Sports Editor Marc Raimondi by e-mail at mraimondi@timesledger.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 130.
