Miguel Rojas has enjoyed one of the best offensive seasons of his career despite receiving fewer opportunities with the Los Angeles Dodgers this year.
Through 46 games (32 starts), the veteran infielder is batting .279/.323/.434 with 10 doubles, three home runs and 15 RBI. Rojas’ 123 OPS+ is his highest mark since the shortened 2020 season and second-best of his career.
“I think sometime in late April, he cleaned some things up mechanically with his setup and being a little bit more handsy, his path is better,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Rojas’ success.
“And he’s ridden that swing out for this whole season. So he and the hit guys came up with something, found something that unlocks something. So he’s playing really good baseball. The intensity, the focus, the energy he brings every night is contagious.”
Rojas went into detail about the mechanical adjustments he made and credited Dodgers hitting coaches for helping him keep his hands loose. “Working alongside the hitting coaches and Robert (Van Scoyoc), they helped me keep my hands kind of loose, because my hands can be my biggest weapon, but it can be my biggest block too,” Rojas explained.
“If I use them right, I’m going to be successful. If I try to stop them, I’m not going to be good. We found something there. It’s really hard to be consistent with it, but I’m trying to stay disciplined with my work in the cage, and when I get the opportunity to work outside on the field.
“Not playing every day is kind of like a challenge, but at the end of the day, the biggest key for me is facing every game like it’s a playoff game.
“I know I’m just going to receive some opportunities against lefties, and sometimes I’m going to play against righties when the matchup is right. I’m just ready for whatever opportunity they give me.”
Miguel Rojas replacing Mookie Betts out
With Mookie Betts expected to miss at least six weeks because of a left hand fracture, Roberts said Rojas will step into the starting role at shortstop. “Miguel is going to take down the brunt of shortstop,” Roberts explained.
“Then we’ll mix in Kiké at times to manage the workload a little bit.”
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