It is a homecoming of sorts for 2011 Oak Harbor High School graduate Yale Rosen.

Rosen and his Eugene Emerald teammates are playing a five-game series in Everett this week. Everett is as close to home as Rosen will get during his first year of professional baseball.

The final game of the series is 7:05 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at Everett Memorial Stadium.

Rosen, who was drafted out of Washington State University in the 11th round by San Diego last spring, found out Thursday that his initial year of pro ball will not end when Eugene completes its schedule Sept. 1. He is one of a handful of minor league players in the San Diego farm system selected to play in the fall Instructional League in Arizona.

Being picked is a good sign for Padre prospects. It means the organization sees potential in the player and is willing to spend more time and money to develop that talent.

The Instructional League begins in mid-September and concludes Nov. 15.

Rosen enjoys playing for Eugene, the Padres’ short-season “A” team.

“It’s a great bunch of guys,” Rosen said. “It makes coming to work a lot easier.”

Rosen is also happy with his progress as a player.

He has appeared in 47 of the Emeralds’ 66 games, hitting .253 (38-for-150) with 10 doubles (third on the team), five home runs (third), 26 RBI (third) and 22 walks (second).

He primarily plays left field, has five assists and is the only regular without an error.

In the opening game of the Everett series Tuesday, Rosen ripped three hits, including a home run, and drove in three runs in a 9-4 win.

Wednesday he walked three times in a 3-1 loss, then he singled in a run in an 8-4 win Thursday.

Results of Friday’s game were not available at press time.

“I’m not concerned about statistics,” Rosen said, noting growth is the key. “The game is hard enough without worrying about stats.”

He is soaking in what the Eugene Emerald coaching staff is trying to teach.

“There is no reason not to,” Rosen said.

Manager Robbie Wine, hitting coach Homer Bush and pitching coach Nelson Cruz all played in the major leagues; therefore, they have instant credibility, Rosen said.

The staff knows what it takes to play at the highest level and understands what young players are going through in the minor leagues, Rosen added.

Rosen, 21, likes the compact schedule, which is heavy on games and light on practice.

“I like the games. That’s what we play for, right?”

He also enjoys playing every day because it gives him the opportunity to quickly redeem himself after a poor performance.

“You can flush it and move on,” Rosen said.

Rosen, who has been greeted by a steady stream of friends, family and fans during his games in Everett, is sticking around Everett in his off hours. He could journey up to Oak Harbor but said he wants to stay focused.

He will also not return home during the 10-day break between the end of Eugene’s season and the beginning of the the Instructional League.

Instead, Rosen will head back to WSU to take advantage of its training facilities to stay sharp before taking off for Arizona.

“There is plenty of time for that (returning to Oak Harbor) later,” Rosen said.

Now is the time to impress the San Diego organization with his effort, work ethic and dedication, he said.