Miguel Rojas (baseball)

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Rojas and the second or maternal family name is Naidenoff.
Miguel Rojas
Rojas with the Miami Marlins in 2020
Los Angeles Dodgers – No. 11
Shortstop
Born: (1989-02-24) February 24, 1989 (age 35)
Los Teques, Miranda, Venezuela
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
June 6, 2014, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Batting average.260
Home runs50
Runs batted in336
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Miguel Elias Rojas Naidenoff (born February 24, 1989) is a Venezuelan professional baseball shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 2014 and also played in MLB for the Miami Marlins from 2015 to 2022.

Professional career

Cincinnati Reds

Minor leagues

Rojas was signed by the Cincinnati Reds organization as an amateur free agent in 2006 out of Venezuela[1] and played for their affiliates in the Venezuelan Summer League and Dominican Summer League through 2007.[2] In 2008, the Reds moved him to their domestic affiliate in the rookie-class Pioneer Baseball League, where he hit .183 in 61 games.[2]

Rojas progressed through the Reds' farm system, playing for the Class-A Dayton Dragons in 2009, the Advanced-A Lynchburg Hillcats in 2010, the Double-A Carolina Mudcats in 2010 and 2011, and the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos and the Triple-A Louisville Bats in 2012.[2]

Los Angeles Dodgers

Minor leagues

After the 2012 season, Rojas became a free agent and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.[3] He spent the 2013 season with the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Double–A Southern League, where he hit .233 in 130 games.[4] In 2014, he received a non-roster invite to Major League spring training, where he was given a chance to compete for the vacant second base job.[5][6] The Dodgers assigned him to the Triple–A Albuquerque Isotopes to start 2014, where he hit .302 in 51 games.[4]

2014 season

Rojas with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2014

The Dodgers promoted Rojas to the major leagues for the first time on June 6, 2014.[7] He made his major league debut that day as a late-inning defensive replacement.[8] His first hit was a single off Matt Belisle of the Colorado Rockies in his first start on June 8.[4]

Rojas finished the 2014 regular season hitting only .181 with one home run and nine RBIs in 85 games.[4] He frequently took over for Hanley Ramírez at shortstop late in games for defensive purposes. On June 18, he successfully made an extremely difficult defensive play to preserve a no hitter thrown by Clayton Kershaw in the 7th inning.[4]

Miami Marlins

On December 10, 2014, the Dodgers traded Rojas, along with Dee Gordon and Dan Haren, to the Miami Marlins in exchange for Andrew Heaney, Chris Hatcher, Austin Barnes, and Enrique "Kiké" Hernández.[9]

2015 season

Rojas playing for the New Orleans Zephyrs in 2015

In 2015, Rojas batted .282 with one home run and 17 RBI in 142 at-bats across 60 games.[4] This earned Rojas more playing time the next season as he appeared in 123 games, slashing .247/.288/.325 with one home run and 14 RBI.[10]

2017 season

In 2017, Rojas missed 62 games due to a broken thumb, but still appeared in 90 games, hitting for a .290.361/.375 batting line with one home run and 26 RBI in 272 at-bats.[4] Rojas also led all NL shortstops in September and October with a .354 batting average and .948 OPS.[11]

2018 season

In 2018, Rojas set career-highs in nearly every offensive category; games played (153), runs (44), hits (123), home runs (11), RBI (53), and stolen bases (6).[12]

2019 season

In 2019, Rojas batted .284/.331/.379, with the lowest isolated power in the National League (.095).[4][13] On September 23, 2019, Rojas agreed to a new two-year contract with the Marlins, worth $10.25 million.[14]

2020 season

In late July 2020, Rojas tested positive for COVID-19.[15][16][17] Despite testing positive, Rojas partnered with the company Stadium Custom Kicks during the 2020 season, branding the partnership as Miggy's Locker. The partnership allowed Rojas to design custom-made cleats to express his passion in shoes and basketball.[18] Overall in 2020, Rojas's batting line was all career-highs, with a .304/.392/.496 line on the year to go along with four home runs and 20 RBI.[4]

2021 season

In 2021, Rojas played in 132 games, collecting 131 hits, 48 RBIs, 13 stolen bases, and a career-high 37 walks.[4] On October 28, 2021, the Marlins signed Rojas to a two-year contract extension worth $10 million.[19]

2022 season

On October 3, 2022, it was announced that Rojas would undergo wrist surgery to repair a torn triangular fibrocartilage complex in his right wrist.[20] He underwent an additional procedure in January after another minor issue arose.[21]

Los Angeles Dodgers (second stint)

On January 11, 2023, Rojas was traded back to the Dodgers in exchange for Jacob Amaya.[22][23]

2023 season

On February 4, the Dodgers announced a contract extension with Rojas that would pay him $5 million for 2024 and included a $5 million club option for 2025.[24][25] While initially expected to be a utility player, Rojas wound up the starting shortstop when Gavin Lux went down with a season ending knee injury in spring training.[26] He played in 124 games, batting .236.[4] He had two hits in six at-bats in the 2023 NLDS.[4]

2024 season

Lux returned in 2024 but moved to second base and Mookie Betts took over at shortstop, leaving Rojas as utility player to start the season before returning to short when Betts was hurt at midseason.[27] He went on the injured list at the end of July with right forearm inflammation[28] and returned August 7.[29] He remained in the lineup until tearing his adductor muscle in late September.[30] For the season, Rojas batted .283 in 103 games.[4] The team voted Rojas the winner of the Roy Campanella Award, which exemplifies the spirit and leadership of the late Hall of Fame catcher.[31] He started at shortstop for the Dodgers to begin the 2024 NLDS, and had two hits in eight at-bats over the first three games of the series.[4] However, he aggravated a leg injury in the third game and did not play in the rest of the series and was left off the roster for the NLCS.[32] Rojas returned to the roster for the 2024 World Series, but only played in Game 2, where he was hitless in three at-bats.[4] He collected his first World Series championship when the Dodgers beat the New York Yankees in five games.[33] After the season, the Dodgers picked up his contract option for the 2025 season.[34]

International career

Rojas has played for Tiburones de La Guaira in the Venezuelan Winter League during the offseason since 2009,[2] which included playing in the 2012 Caribbean Series.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ Ritchie, Matthew (March 13, 2023). "Rojas already helping LA on the field and off it". mlb.com. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Miguel Rojas Minor & Winter League Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  3. ^ "Dodgers Select Contract Of INF Miguel Rojas". June 6, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Miguel Rojas Career Stats". Baseball-Reference.com.
  5. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 6, 2014. Retrieved March 6, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ Hoornstra, J.P. (February 15, 2014). "Dodgers trying to add offense to Miguel Rojas' game". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  7. ^ Eric Stephen (June 6, 2014). "Dodgers option Erisbel Arruebarrena to Triple-A, call up Miguel Rojas". truebluela.com.
  8. ^ "June 6, 2014 Los Angeles Dodgers at Colorado Rockies play by play and box score". Baseball Reference.
  9. ^ Gurnick, Ken (December 11, 2014). "Dodgers adding Kendrick, Rollins in trades". MLB.com. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  10. ^ Newcomb, Connor (January 4, 2017). "2016 Marlins Season Review: Miguel Rojas". Fish Stripes. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  11. ^ Sussman, Ely (November 30, 2017). "2017 Marlins Season Review: Miguel Rojas". Fish Stripes. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  12. ^ Kraczkowski, Kevin (December 10, 2018). "Miami Marlins: Miguel Rojas is a Jack of All Trades". Marlin Maniac. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  13. ^ "Major League Leaderboards » 2019 » Batters » Advanced Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball".
  14. ^ "Miguel Rojas guaranteed $10.25M in 2-year deal with Marlins". USA Today.
  15. ^ Nightengale, Gabe Lacques and Bob. "Marlins' 2020 season is paused by MLB after COVID-19 outbreak among players, coaches". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  16. ^ Breen, Matt. "After COVID-19 outbreak, the Marlins decided via group text message to play Sunday vs. the Phillies". inquirer.com. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  17. ^ "Some games postponed after Marlins outbreak". ESPN.com. July 27, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  18. ^ De Nicola, Christina (March 18, 2021). "'Air Rojas' brings personality to kick collection". MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2021.
  19. ^ De Nicola, Christina (October 28, 2021). "Rojas' extension 'an easy thing to do' for MIA". MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 13, 2021.
  20. ^ Nicola, Christina De (October 3, 2022). "Miguel Rojas to undergo right wrist surgery". MLB.com. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  21. ^ "Miguel Rojas Expected To Undergo Additional Wrist Procedure". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  22. ^ Wexler, Sarah (January 11, 2023). "Dodgers shore up shortstop in trade for Miguel Rojas". mlb.com. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  23. ^ Gonzalez, Alden (January 11, 2023). "Dodgers add to options in infield, acquire Miami's Miguel Rojas". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  24. ^ Toribio, Juan (February 4, 2023). "Rojas, Dodgers reach contract extension". MLB.com. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  25. ^ "Dodgers extend new addition Miguel Rojas through 2024 season". ESPN.com. Associated Press. February 4, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  26. ^ Digiovanna, Mike (June 26, 2023). "'I'm capable of more.' Miguel Rojas pushes to be the complete player the Dodgers need". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  27. ^ Getithem, Eva (July 19, 2024). "Miguel Rojas Makes His Intentions Clear About the Dodgers' Shortstop Spot". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  28. ^ Stephen, Eric (July 24, 2024). "Dodgers sign Nick Ahmed with shortstop Miguel Rojas placed on injured list". SB Nation. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  29. ^ Stephen, Eric (August 7, 2024). "Miguel Rojas returns from injured list, Dodgers option James Outman". SB Nation. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  30. ^ Angus-Coombs, Maren (September 26, 2024). "Dodgers Infielder Tears Adductor Muscle, Requires Surgery". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  31. ^ "Miguel Rojas wins 19th annual Roy Campanella Award". mlb.com. September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  32. ^ Ardaya, Fabian (October 13, 2024). "Dodgers leave Alex Vesia, Miguel Rojas off NLCS roster". The Athletic. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  33. ^ Castronice, Anthony (October 30, 2024). "Dodgers upend Yanks with historic comeback for 8th World Series title". mlb.com. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  34. ^ Stephen, Eric (November 2, 2024). "Dodgers exercise 2025 option on Miguel Rojas, per reports". SB Nation. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
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