Rosengard could be a hit in Wild Things’ lineup
Editor’s note: The Wild Things’ game Friday night against Lake Erie was rained out. A doubleheader is scheduled for Saturday beginning at 5:05 p.m. at EQT Park.
When the Wild Things’ starting rotation was recently wrecked by major league organizations – three starters had their contracts purchased during the last homestand – manager Tom Vaeth knew his club would have to start winning in a fashion different than it used in the first 40 games of the Frontier League season. Instead of relying on pitching and defense, Washington would have to win high-scoring slugfests until the holes in the pitching staff are filled.
In other words, Washington has to simply outscore opponents.
“We need to score more,” Vaeth told his team’s hitters.
One player who might help the Wild Things in that area played in only one game over the first seven weeks of the season. And he comes with a track record that suggests he can help a lineup generate scoring opportunities.
Infielder Benjamin Rosengard was activated off the injured list on June 28. He won the batting title last year in the independent Pioneer League, where he hit a whopping .463 while playing for the Idaho Falls Chukars.
“It was a magical year,” Rosengard recently told the O-R. “Nobody can predict having a season like that. I have too much respect for the game to think I could ever do that.
“We had a great team with professional coaching. Troy Percival was manager and Garry Templeton Jr., Bob Milacki and Billy Butler were coaches. It was an incredible group. We were one game away from winning the league.”
Rosengard hit 16 doubles, six triples and 10 home runs in his first full season of pro baseball following a college career that included two years at Rice and one at the University of San Diego.
Rosengard began his pro career in 2024, playing in 29 games with Grand Junction of the Pioneers League. In 95 career games in the Pioneer League, Rosengard’s batting average was .423.
“It’s definitely a hitter’s league,” he said. “At most of the ballparks, you’re playing at elevation. The ballparks are decent-sized though, so the elevation evens out with the size.”
This spring, Rosengard, a Chicago native, played for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic.
Then he wanted to test himself at a higher level of independent ball, so he signed with Lancaster of the Atlantic League.
“I had a very good spring with Lancaster, but on the last day of camp the manager (Ross Peeples) called me into his office,” Rosengard recalled. “He said they were bringing in three veterans from Mexico and there wouldn’t be a spot for me. But he said he knew (Vaeth) and the Wild Things had traded for me.”
So from one side of Pennsylvania to the other Rosengard went. However, his 2026 season ran into another last-minute detour with the Wild Things. He injured his back the day before Washington was to leave for the season opener at Windy City and was unable to play until the home opener against Schaumburg eight days later.
Rosengard played only one game before landing on the injured list with lower back discomfort that required some extensive rehabilitation.
“The good part,” Rosengard said, “is it didn’t affect me rotationally. Hitting-wise, I was able to stay locked in. Being able to bend and take ground balls, that was the last progression.”
Since Rosengard was activated off the IL, Washington has posted an 8-2 record. He had a .297 batting average until going 0-for-4 with a walk Thursday night in Washington’s 12-5 win at Florence. Rosengard still found ways to contribute to the win. Getting the start at first base, he triggered two reverse double plays (first base to second base).
“I’m mostly a shortstop and second base guy, but I can play all around the infield. I’ve been taking reps at first base. I can play anywhere.”