The Los Angeles Dodgers traded for Miguel Rojas in January 2023, marking his second stint with the team after eight years with the Miami Marlins.
The trade proved to be beneficial for the Dodgers after Gavin Lux, the projected everyday shortstop in 2023, tore his ACL and LCL in his right knee during the beginning of Spring Training that kept him out for the entire season. Rojas assumed the same role he had with the Marlins, taking on a starting role with the Dodgers.
Playing in 124 games, Rojas hit .236/.290/.322 with five home runs, 31 RBI and 49 runs scored. He regularly slotted in at eighth or ninth in the lineup, posting an 11.3% strikeout rate.
The veteran infielder endured one of the worst offensive seasons in his 10-year career, which was a sizable step back from what Lux was poised to produce had it not been for the injury.
But the overwhelming positive for Rojas is his glove, which has routinely ranked near the best in baseball. That trend continued last year, which saw Rojas rank in the 91st percentile of outs above average (OAA) with six and had a run value of five.
Rojas’ fielding runs prevented (RAA) of four placed him ninth among qualifying shortstops, while is 12 defensive runs saved put him in the top-10 of Major League shortstops.
Rojas finished fifth in voting for a 2023 Fielding Bible Award, behind fellow shortstops Dansby Swanson (Chicago Cubs), Willy Adames (Milwaukee Brewers), Ezequiel Tovar (Colorado Rockies) and Anthony Volpe (New York Yankees).
That defensive value, combined with his poor offense, made Rojas a solid but unspectacular starter.
Miguel Rojas 2023 highlight
On August 13, Rojas had his best day from a run-producing standpoint in the Dodgers’ 8-3 win over the Colorado Rockies.
While slugging a solo homer, Rojas also drove in three runs, all by way of sacrifice fly balls.
2024 outlook
The hopeful return of Lux to the Dodgers lineup puts less of a need for Rojas in a regular capacity.
Being under contract for the 2024 season, Rojas will be utilized in a defensive replacement role, while providing days off while Lux eases his way back. He may also see additional time at other positions as he was expected to fill a utility role in 2023.
Heading into his age-35 season, Rojas’ offense hasn’t been the same since a wave of injuries overtook what used to be an adequate bat, but the Dodgers will benefit more from his leadership and glove.
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