Johan Rojas just completed his first week in Triple-A — not only of this season, but of his life.
Following a promotion straight from Double-A last summer, Rojas was the Phillies’ center fielder down the stretch and through the postseason. But after a lackluster performance from the young glove-first outfielder in 2024, Philadelphia sent him to the minor leagues on Monday, as the corresponding move to Trea Turner’s return from injury, to work on his at-bats and bunting abilities.
The early results in the Lehigh Valley have been positive for the 23-year-old Rojas. He played five of the IronPigs’ six games against Norfolk this past week, batting .364/.391/.545 in 22 at-bats with a home run, a stolen base and a sacrifice bunt. He had a bunt single in the same game he homered.
It’s been a small sample at a lower level, but Rojas has shown a focus on the areas the Phillies asked him to improve. Bunt singles were a point of emphasis for the speedy right-handed hitter in the spring, then disappeared as he struggled to get them down during the regular season. After posting a .566 OPS in 58 games for the Phillies, Rojas looked stronger at the plate in his first look for the IronPigs.
When Rojas was sent down, Phillies manager Rob Thomson reiterated his belief that the best version of his club has Rojas playing center field. The team hopes Rojas can bounce back and play closer to that form after a reset in Triple-A. His offense was lacking in the bigs this year, and his defense was not elite in the way it was as a rookie. Rojas’ teammates, with their own experiences of being sent down, believe he can improve quickly and return to the team stronger.
If he can make his way back onto the Phillies roster and into the lineup, this start in Lehigh Valley could serve as a launching pad for Rojas as he looks to make the necessary improvements.
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