Position: IF/OF
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 200 lbs
Bats/Throws: L/R
Born: 02/24/1993
Drafted: 36th Round, 1086th overall, 2016 (Angels)
College: Vanguard University of Southern California
How Acquired: Minor League Free Agent
Bonus: N/A
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Minor League Free Agency: 2024
Options Left: 1
Overview
A veteran of over 600 minor league games, Rojas has gotten only brief looks in the majors. He has a good approach at the plate and has generally hit for both average and power, with decent strikeout rates. He’s played mostly first, third and left, with a little time at second. He’s not a strong defender and probably should play only in the corners. He doesn’t run well. The Pirates signed him to a minor league deal in July 2024 after he opted out of a minors deal with the Yankees.
2016-20
Rojas moved quickly through the Angels’ farm system. After putting up an .843 OPS in advanced rookie ball in his debut season, the Angels jumped him up to High A in 2017. He had an .835 OPS there in a little over half a season, then finished the season with 44 games in AA. At that point, he was playing mostly third, with some time at second.
Rojas spent most of 2018 in AA and had a big year, batting 305/381/555. His strikeout rate climbed some, but he was still striking out in a little less than a quarter of his at-bats. He spent the 2019 season in AAA and hit 31 home runs with a batting line of 293/362/577. Despite the gaudy numbers, he was passed over in the Rule 5 draft. Rojas spent 2020 at the Angels’ alternate facility.
2021-22
The Angels added Rojas to their 40-man roster at the end of spring training and he opened the season with them. He didn’t hit very well and was sent to AAA in early June. He returned to the majors briefly in July and then again in mid-September. In the majors he showed some power, but batted 208/277/399 overall, with a 27.2% K rate. He also didn’t hit as well in AAA as he had in the past, with a .758 OPS. At this point he was playing mainly third and the outfield corners.
In 2022, Rojas again began the season with the Angels. They sent him to AAA, though, in mid-April, then outrighted him at the end of May. He played in AAA until early August, when the Angels called him back up. They designated Rojas for assignment again at the beginning of September and the Giants claimed him off waivers, only to designate him for assignment again two weeks later. Rojas declined the assignment and opted for free agency. He got into only 22 games in the majors, going 7-for-56 with 19 strikeouts. He had a .921 OPS in AAA with the Angels. In the field he played first, third and right.
2023-24
Rojas played the 2023 season in Korea, where he hit 253/345/474 while playing the outfield corners. He signed a minor league deal with the Yankees and played for them until early June 2024, when he opted out of his contract, only to re-sign with the Yankees a few days later. In mid-July he opted out again and signed with the Pirates a week later. He had a .920 OPS in AAA with the Yankees, while playing first, third and the outfield corners. He also served as a DH part of the time. The Pirates signed Rojas to a minor league deal in late July.
Stats
Transactions
June 11, 2015: Drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 36th round, 1086th overall pick; signed June 14.
March 31, 2021: Contract purchased by the Los Angeles Angels.
May 30, 2022: Outrighted to AAA by the Los Angeles Angels.
August 2, 2022: Called up by the Los Angeles Angels.
September 4, 2022: Claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels by the San Francisco Giants.
September 18, 2022: Outrighted to AAA by the San Francisco Giants; elected free agency.
January 31, 2024: Signed as a minor league free agent by the New York Yankees.
June 4, 2024: Released by the New York Yankees.
June 9, 2024: Signed as a minor league free agent by the New York Yankees.
July 14, 2024: Released by the New York Yankees.
July 23, 2024: Signed as a minor league free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates.