Johan Rojas

Johan Rojas's Biography

Johan Stiven Rojas, born on August 14, 2000, is a well-known Dominican professional baseball player currently playing as an outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies, a team in Major League Baseball (MLB). Rojas entered MLB as an international free agent, first signing with the Philadelphia Phillies in early 2018.

His MLB journey began when the Phillies recognized his potential and signed him on January 18, 2018, as an international free agent. His professional debut took place in the Dominican Summer League where the rookie quickly acclimated himself by averaging .321 over 68 games. This impressive performance set the stage for Rojas’s advancement up the professional ranks.

In 2019, he jumped between the rookie-level Gulf Coast Phillies and Low-A Williamsport Crosscutters, developing his skills and honing his craft. His season’s statistics were impressive as he batted .265/.313/.429 and tallied 2 home runs, 15 RBI, and 14 stolen bases.

However, in 2020, the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the entire Minor League Baseball season, halting Rojas’s competitive career temporarily. After a year off the field, he returned to action in 2021 with a fresh determination and renewed vigor.

Rojas put up solid numbers in 2021 through his assignments with the rookie-level Florida Complex League Phillies, the Single-A Clearwater Threshers, and High-A Jersey Shore Blue Claws. Across these three affiliates, he garnered .263/.329/.417 with personal bests in home runs (11), RBI (52), and stolen bases (34) over 96 total games.

In 2022, Rojas again showcased his skills with his performances at Jersey Shore and the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils. His batting average of .244/.309/.354 over 130 games included 7 home runs, 38 RBI, and an outstanding 62 stolen bases. His exceptional performance in the 2022 Arizona Fall League, where he batted .310/.423/.452 and ranked second in the league with 13 stolen bases, further cemented his reputation as a rising star in the game.

Rojas started the 2023 season with Double-A Reading where he scored .306/.361/.484 over 76 exhilarating matches. His performance included 9 home runs, 45 RBI, and 30 stolen bases. His remarkable achievements earned him a promotion to the major leagues in July 2023, replacing the injured Cristian Pache.

His major league debut season ended with a robust .302/.342/.430 average over 59 games, contributing 2 home runs, 23 RBI, and 14 stolen bases to the team’s victories. Despite a weaker showing in the postseason, Rojas’s growth and contributions did not go unnoticed. At season’s end, the young outfielder was named the winner of the esteemed Paul Owens Award for position player for the 2023 season.

In the 2024 Opening Day, Rojas was declared the Phillies’ starting center fielder despite his underperformance in the 2023 postseason and shaky spring training outings. However, upon Trea Turner’s return from the injured list, Rojas was temporarily reassigned to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs to make room on the team and allow him to improve his offensive performance.

However, the path back to the major league was swift. In late June, injuries to Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber led to his recall from Lehigh Valley. Johan Stiven Rojas’s journey through the MLB continues to be a testimony to his tenacity, potential, and determination to constantly further his skills and forge his way in the professional baseball realm. His talent and drive have made him a valuable asset to the Philadelphia Phillies and will continue to carry his career forward in the world of professional baseball.