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Johan Rojas

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Johan Rojas
Philadelphia Phillies – No. 18
Outfielder
Born: (2000-08-14) August 14, 2000 (age 24)
San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 15, 2023, for the Philadelphia Phillies
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Batting average.261
Home runs5
Runs batted in55
Stolen Bases39
Teams

Johan Stiven Rojas (born August 14, 2000) is a Dominican professional baseball outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). Rojas signed with the Phillies as an international free agent in 2018.

Career

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Rojas signed with the Philadelphia Phillies as an international free agent on January 18, 2018.[1] He made his professional debut with the Dominican Summer League Phillies, posting a .321 average across 68 games. In 2019, Rojas played for the rookie–level Gulf Coast Phillies and Low–A Williamsport Crosscutters, batting .265/.313/.429 with 2 home runs, 15 RBI, and 14 stolen bases.[2]

Due to the cancellation of the 2020 Minor League Baseball season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rojas did not play for a team.[3] He returned to action in 2021 to play for the rookie–level Florida Complex League Phillies, Single–A Clearwater Threshers and High–A Jersey Shore Blue Claws. In 96 games between the three affiliates, Rojas slashed .263/.329/.417 with career–highs in home runs (11), RBI (52), and stolen bases (34).[4][5]

In 2022, Rojas played for Jersey Shore and the Double–A Reading Fightin Phils, hitting .244/.309/.354 with 7 home runs, 38 RBI, and 62 stolen bases across 130 games. He played in the 2022 Arizona Fall League, where he batted .310/.423/.452, and was second in the league with 13 stolen bases, without being caught.[6]

Rojas was optioned to Double-A Reading to begin the 2023 season.[7] In 76 games for Reading, he batted .306/.361/.484 with 9 home runs, 45 RBI, and 30 stolen bases. On July 14, 2023, Rojas was promoted to the major leagues for the first time following an injury to Cristian Pache.[8] On August 11, Rojas hit his first career home run against Jordan Luplow of the Minnesota Twins.[9] On September 26, during extra innings, Rojas recorded his first career walk-off hit. The walk-off also secured the Phillies a spot in the MLB playoffs for the second straight season.[10] He ended the 2023 season with a regular season record of .302/.342/.430 over 59 games, with 2 home runs, 23 RBI, and 14 stolen bases, and a postseason record of .093/.114/.163 over 13 games.[11] Following the season, Rojas was named the winner of the organization's Paul Owens Award for position player for the 2023 season.[12]

Rojas was the Phillies' starting center fielder on Opening Day 2024[13] despite poor batting performance in the 2023 postseason and during 2024 spring training.[14] When shortstop Trea Turner returned to the team from the injured list in mid-June, Rojas was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs both to make room for Turner on the roster and to allow Rojas time to improve on his offensive capabilities.[15] He was recalled from Lehigh Valley on June 28 following injuries to Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber.[16]

References

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  1. ^ Breen, Matt (March 26, 2021). "Phillies prospect Johan Rojas could be special, Joe Girardi says | Extra Innings". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  2. ^ "Johan Rojas - Stats - Batting". fangraphs.com. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  3. ^ Salisbury, Jim (April 2, 2021). "Johan Rojas Receives Rave Reviews". Baseball America.
  4. ^ Lauber, Scott (March 19, 2022). "Known for elite defense, Johan Rojas' growth as a hitter could make him Phillies' future center fielder". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Clearwater.
  5. ^ Gelb, Matt (February 22, 2022). "Speedy Phillies prospect Johan Rojas has the green light and a big goal for 2022". The Athletic. Clearwater.
  6. ^ "2023 AFL Player Hitting Stats". MLB.com.
  7. ^ "Phillies' Johan Rojas: Heading back to Double-A". cbssports.com. March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  8. ^ "Phillies' Johan Rojas: Summoned from Double-A". cbssports.com. July 14, 2023. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  9. ^ Lugardo, Destiny (August 11, 2023). "Why Johan Rojas apologized after hitting first career home run". philliesnation.com. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  10. ^ Zolecki, Todd (September 27, 2023). "Walk-off clinch extra special for Rojas with parents on hand". mlb.com. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  11. ^ "Johan Rojas Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News". mlb.com.
  12. ^ Seidman, Corey (September 21, 2023). "Breakout rookie and ascending reliever honored as Phils' minor-leaguers of 2023". NBC Sports Philadelphia. NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  13. ^ "After spring push, Rojas earns Opening Day job". mlb.com. March 25, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  14. ^ Hayes, Marcus (March 24, 2024). "Johan Rojas makes the Phillies' big-league club despite continued struggles at the plate". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  15. ^ Seidman, Corey (June 17, 2024). "Why Rojas was sent down and what Phillies need to see from him". nbcsportsphiladelphia.com. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  16. ^ "Phillies' Johan Rojas: Returns to big leagues". cbssports.com. June 28, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
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