Breaking news: Rojas is a dynamic, multiple-tooled player with blazing…

Not all baseball fans are familiar with Philadelphia Phillies outfielder, Johan Rojas.

Right-handed hitting Rojas, 23, should be the starting center fielder for the Phillies this season.

Rojas is a dynamic, multiple-tooled player with blazing speed, and a loud bat.

About Johan Rojas:
Rojas, 5-11, and 165 pounds, turns heads with a very exciting combination of power and speed.

The Phillies uncovered a bargain when they signed Rojas as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic, in January 2018.

PROMOTED

The Phillies were able to sign Rojas for only $10,000. He has already exceeded expectations, with much more potential production on the way.

One indication of Rojas’ success came at the end of his 2023 minor league season. The Phillies named Rojas the Paul Owens Award winner as the best minor league position player.

To this scout, it is difficult to determine if Rojas is a better hitter, or a better defender. He excels on both sides of the ball.

San Francisco Giants v Philadelphia Phillies
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 21: Johan Rojas #18 of the Philadelphia Phillies slides after … [+]GETTY IMAGES
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Scouting Johan Rojas:
Rojas made such outstanding improvement from the time he was selected out of the Dominican Republic, that he was able to skip Triple-A.

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Rojas made his big league debut directly from Double-A Reading on July 15, 2023. He was still just 22-years-old.

Because he played 59 big league games, and had 164 plate appearances last year, Rojas no longer has rookie status.

This writer was able to scout Rojas in the 2022 Arizona Fall League, when he played for Surprise.

Rojas put all his tools on display. He hit .310/.423/.452/.876 with no homers, and 7 RBIs in 52 plate appearances. He stole 13 bases without being caught. He hit the ball hard.

What stood out to this scout, was the advanced plate discipline, outstanding pitch recognition, and patience at the plate. That fall, he struck out only eight times. He accepted eight walks.

Here are some of the comments this scout wrote after watching Rojas: “Tremendous speed. Excellent plate discipline. Can power the ball to the gaps. Power will come. Easy, uncomplicated swing. Advanced baseball knowledge and instincts. Outstanding defender. Will take charge in center. Solid arm. Great routes. Can be a star on both sides of the ball.”

Nothing has really changed from that evaluation. He can be a star.

Rojas isn’t a free-swinging hitter. His approach is rather measured and his hands are good through the ball. He doesn’t have the fastest bat speed, but he makes contact and finds the barrel.

If he doesn’t work a walk, it is his excellent contact ability that enables Rojas to get on base, possibly steal, and score.

Rojas will be a pest to opposing pitchers. He will be difficult to dispatch quickly, as he uses his good pitch recognition to take a pitcher deeply into counts.

Power may be the last tool to develop for Rojas. However, that power will surface. For now, while his exit velocity is fine, he can work to get more loft on the ball.

Rojas isn’t big, but he can add more strength throughout his body in the Phillies weight training program. He gets the most out of every ounce of his frame.

Even if the Phillies have to be patient with his offense, Rojas will be able to maintain his role as a starting center fielder. He’s that good.

Rojas sees the ball off the bat, tracks the ball well, and chases it down with that plus, plus speed. He runs good routes, has plus arm strength, and knows how to play defense.

San Francisco Giants v Philadelphia Phillies
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 21: Johan Rojas #18 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after … [+]GETTY IMAGES
Scouting Grade:
When a player can combine power and speed in the manner Rojas projects, he has the chance to make a difference in many ways during a baseball game.

For this scout, Rojas can become special.

It make take another year or two, but when Rojas is 25, he could probably fulfill the expectations this scout projects. It may happen sooner.

Rojas has Grade 70 speed, and Grade 70 defense, which puts pressure on the opposition on both offense and defense.

He needs more repetition and experience as a hitter against big league quality pitching. But that will come.

Are the Phillies rushing Rojas? No, not really. He’s that good. A better than average major league baseball player.