LA Angels: A hometown kid in the big leagues, Jose Rojas is a great story

SURPRISE, ARIZONA - MARCH 19: José Rojas #80 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts while at bat in the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals during the MLB spring training game at Surprise Stadium on March 19, 2021 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - MARCH 19: José Rojas #80 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts while at bat in the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals during the MLB spring training game at Surprise Stadium on March 19, 2021 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Los Angeles Angels
Jose Rojas, Los Angeles Angels. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Rojas name has appeared on this blog before as the Anaheim-native has shown a great ability to hit during his time in the minor leagues. Drafted in the 36th round of the 2016 MLB Draft the 28-year old has gone from a Major League long-shot to a big-league roster.

He now has an opportunity to make an impact on the big club. While he was never a top-100 prospect, Rojas has done nothing but hit throughout his four years in the minors.

Rojas has battled his way through the minors to play for his hometown team.

After being drafted by the Angels in 2016, Rojas went straight to rookie ball and quickly showed his ability to hit. He also continued to show improvement and consistency over his time in the minors. Each time he was called up the bat slowed down, the next year he improved by batting .304 in his second season at Double-A and hitting 31 home runs in his second season at Triple-A.

Even after missing a year due to the pandemic shutting down the minor league season in 2020, Rojas has still come back and had an impressive spring training.

Jose Rojas Last 5 Seasons:

  • 2016 Orem (Rk): 250 PA .308/.372/.471 5 HR 31 RBI
  • 2017 Mobile (AA): 185 PA .227/.259/.360 4 HR 20 RBI
    • Inland Empire (A+): 339 PA .319/.355/.479 7 HR 50 RBI
  • 2018 Salt Lake (AAA): 73 PA .217/.233/.261 0 HR 6 RBI
    • Mobile (AA): 352 PA .304/.381/.554 17 HR 65 RBI
  •  2019 Salt Lake (AAA): 578 PA .293/.362/.577 31 HR 107 RBI
  • 2021 Spring Training: 47 PA .306/.447/.583 2 HR 6 RBI