Johan Rojas Shines Offensively Despite Defensive Missteps for Phillies

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Johan Rojas has been a bright spot for the Philadelphia Phillies, especially in the absence of injured outfielder Brandon Marsh. Over the past two weeks, Rojas has become a key player, starting his 13th consecutive game on Wednesday. He boasts a batting average of .306 with a .769 on-base plus slugging percentage.

Rojas, who has primarily played center field, was initially the fourth outfielder this season while the team evaluated Marsh’s performance against left-handed pitchers. However, with Marsh sidelined due to a strained right hamstring, Rojas’s role has expanded. “He needs to keep it simple, make the plays he’s supposed to make,” said Phillies manager Rob Thomson regarding Rojas’s defensive challenges.

Despite some misplays in the outfield, Rojas’s batting has improved significantly compared to previous seasons. He entered 2023 with a .653 OPS, ranking him 286th among 323 players with over 500 plate appearances in the last two years. “He’s making better decisions at the plate,” Thomson noted, highlighting Rojas’s ability to hit line drives and effectively use the entire field.

Rojas admitted his defensive shortcomings, stating, “I have to catch those balls. I just put in my mind, ‘I have to catch the next one. The next one’s going to me, so I have to catch it.’” His determination to improve reflects a positive mindset despite recent struggles.

Brandon Marsh was eligible to return from the injured list this week but experienced issues during a triple-A game. He was later cleared to play in an 11 a.m. game on Thursday. The team plans to reevaluate Marsh following Friday’s game. On the pitching front, Ranger Suárez is scheduled to make his return on Sunday after recovering from a lower back injury.

The Phillies are also planning to honor their historical outfield from the 1890s—Ed Delahanty, Billy Hamilton, and Sam Thompson—by displaying their uniform logos on the wall of retired numbers. Both Delahanty and Hamilton had remarkable careers, contributing to an elite group of hitters in Major League Baseball history.

Lastly, the Phillies face a challenging schedule of 19 games in 20 days, prompting discussions about potential changes in their pitching rotation as they navigate through this demanding stretch.