Mel Rojas Jr.
Mel Rojas | |||
---|---|---|---|
File:Rojas Jr Hanshin Tigers 20220521.jpg
Rojas with the Hanshin Tigers
|
|||
KT Wiz | |||
Outfielder | |||
Born: Indianapolis, Indiana |
May 24, 1990 |||
|
|||
Professional debut | |||
KBO: June 13, 2017, for the KT Wiz | |||
NPB: May 8, 2021, for the Hanshin Tigers | |||
KBO statistics (through 2020 season) |
|||
Batting average | .321 | ||
Home runs | 132 | ||
Runs batted in | 409 | ||
NPB statistics (through 2022 season) |
|||
Batting average | .220 | ||
Home runs | 17 | ||
Runs batted in | 48 | ||
Teams | |||
Career highlights and awards | |||
KBO
|
Mel Rojas (born May 24, 1990) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the KT Wiz of the KBO League. He has previously played in the KBO League for the KT Wiz and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hanshin Tigers. His ancestors were from the Dominican Republic.
Contents
Early life
Rojas was born in Indianapolis in 1990 when his father, Mel Rojas, was playing for the Indianapolis Indians.[1] A member of the Alou family,[2] he was raised in the Dominican Republic.[3] As a child, he played both baseball and basketball.[4] He attended high school in Mt. Carmel, Illinois.[3]
College
Rojas played junior college baseball at Wabash Valley College where, in his only season, he led the nation with 61 stolen bases in 64 attempts. He was named the 2010 Great Rivers Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year.[5] He played two summers of collegiate summer baseball with the Amsterdam Mohawks of the New York Collegiate Baseball League.[6]
Career
Pittsburgh Pirates
Rojas was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft out of Wabash Valley College.[7][8] He signed with the Pirates and made his professional debut that season with the State College Spikes.[9]
In 2011, Rojas spent the season with the West Virginia Power. In 2012, Rojas spent the season with Bradenton Marauders. In 2013, Rojas spent the season with the Double-A Altoona Curve.[10][11]
In 2014, Rojas started the season with Altoona and was promoted to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians in July.[12][13][14]
In 2015, The Pirates invited Rojas to spring training.[15] Cut from the team in March,[16] Rojas began the season at the Triple-A level. After a midseason demotion to the Curve, Rojas rejoined the Indians in September.[17][18]
Atlanta Braves
On May 9, 2016, Rojas was traded to the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations.[19] He was assigned to the Double-A Mississippi Braves, and promoted to the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves seven weeks later.[20] Rojas finished his 2016 season batting .253 with 12 home runs and 46 RBIs.[21]
KT Wiz
On June 12, 2017, Rojas signed with the KT Wiz of the KBO League for $400,000.[22] On November 14, 2017, he re-signed with KT Wiz for $1,000,000.
In 2018 he broke the KT Wiz franchise record for home runs with 43.[23]
In 2020, he also signed a $1.5 million contract, staying at KT Wiz.[24] Rojas nearly won the batting Triple Crown, leading the league in home runs (47) and RBIs (135), but coming in third place for batting average (.349).[25] He was later voted the 2020 KBO League MVP.[26]
Hanshin Tigers
On December 8, 2020, Rojas signed a two-year deal with the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball.[27] He played in 60 games for Hanshin in 2021, hitting .217/.282/.381 with 8 home runs and 21 RBI. In 2022, Rojas appeared in 89 contests for the Tigers, slashing .224/.322/.410 with 9 home runs and 27 RBI. He became a free agent following the 2022 season.
Toros de Tijuana
On March 6, 2023, Rojas signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League.[28] He was released on May 5, 2023.
Acereros de Monclova
On May 10, 2023, Rojas signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League.[29] In 36 games, he batted .241/.440/.397 with 5 home runs and 20 RBI. Rojas was waived on July 4.[30]
Guerreros de Oaxaca
On July 11, 2023, Rojas signed with the Guerreros de Oaxaca of the Mexican League.[31] In 23 games for Oaxaca, Rojas hit .326/.419/.607 with 5 home runs and 25 RBI.
KT Wiz (second stint)
On December 7, 2023, Rojas signed with the KT Wiz of the KBO League.[32]
Personal life
Rojas is the son of former Major League Baseball player, Mel Rojas.[33][34]
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Mel Rojas Jr. 로하스 on Instagram
- Career statistics - NPB.jp
- Articles with short description
- Pages with broken file links
- 1990 births
- Living people
- Acereros de Monclova players
- Alou family
- Altoona Curve players
- American expatriate baseball players in Mexico
- American expatriate baseball players in South Korea
- American sportspeople of Dominican Republic descent
- Bradenton Marauders players
- Estrellas Orientales players
- Gigantes de Carolina (baseball) players
- Gwinnett Braves players
- Indianapolis Indians players
- KBO League Most Valuable Player Award winners
- KBO League outfielders
- KT Wiz players
- Mississippi Braves players
- State College Spikes players
- Tigres del Licey players
- Toros de Tijuana players
- Wabash Valley Warriors baseball players
- West Virginia Power players
- World Baseball Classic players of the Dominican Republic
- 2017 World Baseball Classic players
- Hanshin Tigers players