Mel Rojas Jr.
Mel Rojas (born May 24, 1990) is a Dominican-American professional baseball outfielder for the KT Wiz of the KBO League.
Mel Rojas | |||
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Rojas with the Altoona Curve in 2013 | |||
KT Wiz – No. 24 | |||
Outfielder | |||
Born: Indianapolis, Indiana | May 24, 1990|||
| |||
KBO debut | |||
June 13, 2017, for the KT Wiz | |||
KBO statistics (through June 23, 2020) | |||
Batting average | .318 | ||
Home runs | 99 | ||
Runs batted in | 314 | ||
Teams | |||
Career highlights and awards | |||
KBO |
Career
Minor League
As a child, he played both baseball and basketball.[1] Rojas was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft out of Wabash Valley College.[2][3] He signed with the Pirates and made his professional debut that season with the State College Spikes.[4] He spent 2011 with the West Virginia Power, 2012 with Bradenton Marauders and 2013 with the Double-A Altoona Curve.[5][6] He started 2014 with Altoona and was promoted to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians in July.[7][8][9] The Pirates invited Rojas to spring training in 2015.[10] Cut from the team in March,[11] Rojas began the season at the Triple-A level. After a midseason demotion to the Curve, Rojas rejoined the Indians in September.[12][13]
Rojas was traded to the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations on May 9, 2016.[14] He was assigned to the Double-A Mississippi Braves, and promoted to the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves seven weeks later.[15] Rojas finished his 2016 season batting .253 with 12 home runs and 46 RBIs.[16]
KBO League
On June 12, 2017, he signed with the KBO League team KT Wiz for $400,000.[17] 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.[18]
In 2020, he also signed a $1.5 million contract, staying at KT Wiz.[19]
Personal life
Rojas is the son of former Major League Baseball player, Mel Rojas.[20][21]
References
- Friedlander, David (July 28, 2016). "Getting to Know Mel Rojas Jr". Gwinnett Daily Post. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
- Dunning, Derek (July 14, 2010). "Rojas Jr. signs contract with Pirates". The Leader Herald. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
- "Pirates sign third round selection Mel Rojas Jr". MLB.com. July 15, 2010. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
- Kaplan, Jake (July 22, 2010). "Rojas starts career in State College". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
- "Fresh Faces: Initial Roster Announced". MILB.com. April 4, 2011. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
- Passanisi, Mike (March 29, 2013). "Taillon, Dickerson Headline 2013 Curve Roster". Retrieved August 11, 2016.
- Passanisi, Mike (March 29, 2014). "Hanson, Kingham Land on Curve Opening Day Roster". MILB.com. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
- Giger, Cory (March 29, 2014). "Prospects highlight of roster". Altoona Mirror. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
- Seiner, Jake (July 4, 2014). "Rojas plates five off bench in Indy's win". MILB.com. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
- Brink, Bill (January 8, 2015). "Pirates invite eight to spring training in Bradenton, Fla". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
- "Tillman strong in Orioles' 6-4 win over Pirates". San Diego Union-Tribune. Associated Press. March 19, 2015. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
- Passanisi, Mike (June 17, 2015). "Extra Innings Continue to Plague Curve on Tuesday". MILB.com. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
- Brink, Bill (September 3, 2015). "Pirates notebook: Rescinded waiver claim of one player leads to September promotion of another". Pittsburgh Posr-Gazette. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
- Eddy, Matt (May 16, 2016). "Minor League Transactions: May 6–11". Baseball America. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
- Lezotte, Dave (June 21, 2016). "Rojas Jr.'s Triple Beats Indians in 12th". MILB.com. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
- "Mel Rojas Jr. Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Retrieved November 19, 2016.
- "KT's New Foreign Hitter - Mel Rojas Jr. $400,000". Retrieved September 28, 2018.
- "Last Minute Spurt - Rojas and Kang Baek Ho". Retrieved September 28, 2018.
- "로하스, 4년 연속 kt와 함께…총액 150만달러에 재계약". sports.news.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-06-15.
- Valdez, Rachella (March 4, 2014). "Rojas Jr. hopes to follow father's footsteps". The Toronto Observer. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
- Singelais, Mark (June 25, 2010). "Rojas tries to keep the tradition alive". Times Union. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
- Mel Rojas Jr. 로하스 on Instagram