Johan Rojas is the Phillies’ 5th best outfielder and should start the 2024 season in Lehigh Valley
The Philadelphia Phillies are just one week away from welcoming the Atlanta Braves to Citizens Bank Park on March 28th for MLB Opening Day.
To be abundantly clear: No player, regardless of their defensive prowess, can be in a major league starting lineup if they are batting below the .200 Mendoza Line.
Also: Kyle Schwarber doesn’t count because he hit 47 home runs with 104 RBI last season. Didn’t even think I’d have to write this because it was so obvious but apparently that’s the one and only reply on social media. Go figure. lol
Johan Rojas, while being a dominant defensive centerfielder can’t hit a beachball let alone major league pitching. He found success after being called up during the regular season last year, but once pitchers figured out who Johan Rojas was, it’s been a complete downfall.
Rojas getting exposed couldn’t have come at a worse time and we all witnessed just how bad it had gotten in the 2023 postseason.
Johan Rojas: Not Ready…
Johan Rojas Regular Season: 149 AB, 24 R, 45 H, 2 HR, 23 RBI, 14 RB, .302/.342/.772
Johan Rojas Postseason: 43 AB, 2 R, 4 H, 15 SO, .093/.114/.277
Johan Rojas Spring Training: 45 AB, 7 H, 4 R, 4 RBI, 2 SB, .156/.174/.441
That brings us to 2024 Spring Training. Somehow, Rojas is still being considered for the starting centerfield position on Opening Day. Why? The hell if I know but in no situation should that even be considered.
The fact that Rojas, a week before Opening Day, is still slated as the Phillies starting centerfielder and likely batting in the 9-hole while Rob Thomson is almost certainly going with Kyle Schwarber in the lead off position is literally insane.
The Phillies desperately need guys that can turn the lineup over and get on base for the power-hitting top of the lineup. That player is not Johan Rojas..yet.
3-Way Platoon: Brandon Marsh, Whit Merrifield, and Cristian Pache
Again, there is no doubt that Rojas is one of the most gifted center fielders that I have personally witnessed. He glides effortlessly through the outfield while tracking baseballs like it’s a genetic sixth sense.
At the same time, Rojas is just 23-years old and sending him to Triple A to get everyday at-bats is really the only viable option for the Phillies just a week away from the start of the regular season.
There is no chance this kid can be your starting center fielder on a team looking for revenge, foaming at the mouth to get back to the World Series. And luckily, the Phillies have other options to carry the load while Rojas gets everyday at-bats in the minor leagues.
The Phillies Other Outfield Options
Cristian Pache Regular Season: 84 AB, 12 R, 20 H, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 2 SB, .238/.319/.736
Cristian Pache Postseason: 7 AB, H, RBI, 3 BB, SB, .143/.400/.543
Cristian Pache Spring Training: 30 AB, 5 R, 7 H, 2 HR, 4 RBI, .233/.303/.770
Pache was acquired by the Phillies from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for minor league pitcher Billy Sullivan just one day before the 2023 regular season started.
A year before, he was the centerpiece in the Atlanta Braves’ trade for first baseman Matt Olson.
The once top prospect struggled to find his swing at the major league level and entered the 2023 season with a .156 career batting average in 322 plate appearances.
He then CAUGHT FIRE before having surgery mid-season and never really returning to form. From April 8th to July 8th when Pache hit a go-ahead 2-run home run against the Miami Marlins in the 9th inning, he went 14-for-37 (.378) with six doubles, two home runs, and seven RBI.
Listen, I’m not sure what Kevin Long is telling batters when they come to Philadelphia but it definitely is working, outside of you guessed, Johan Rojas.
We have witnessed significant improvement to Bryson Stott, Brandon Marsh, Alec Bohm, and Cristian Pache.
Cristian Pache delivers in the ninth, Phillies win 13th straight road game >>
The New Guy: Whit Merrifield
Back in February, the Phillies signed free agent super-utilityman Whit Merrifield on a one-year, $8 million contract.
Now 34-years old, Merrifield notched his third All-Star selection last season with the Blue Jays. He slashed .272/.318/.382 in his first full season in Toronto, hitting 11 home runs to go along with 67 RBI. Ah, and Merrified has also led the American League in hits TWICE and led the AL in stolen bases THREE TIMES.
Merrifield is a late bloomer and didn’t even make his MLB debut until after he turned 27 years old. In more than 4,500 career plate appearances, he’s slashed .284/.330/.420.
Check out where Merrifield played in 2023 with the Toronto Blue Jays
- Second Base: 67 Games
- Left Field: 66 Games
- Right Field: 4 Games
Whit Merrifield Regular Season: 547 AB, 66 R, 1249 H, 11 HR, 67 RBI, 26 SB, .272/.318/.700
Whit Merrifield Spring Training: 32 AB, 4 R, 12 H, 2 HR, 7 RBI, .375/.375/1.125 OPS
Lock In Brandon Marsh in Centerfield
Listen, Brandon Marsh is going to be a starter on this team and rightfully so. Topper and company need him in centerfield though, right? That way, Whit Merrifield takes over left field and we have Pache as the reserve.
It makes perfect sense. Argue with your mother who just started watching the Phillies because she likes “Dancing on My Own” in the kitchen on a brisk fall morning.
Brandon Marsh Regular Season: 404 AB, 58 R, 112 H, 12 HR, 60 RBI, 10 SB, .277/.372/.830
Brandon Marsh Postseason: 38 AB, 2 R, 13 H, HR, 4 RBI, 4 BB, .342/.405/.931
Brandon Marsh Spring Training: 11 AB, R, 3 H, RBI, .273/.385/.840
Just looking at last year’s regular season numbers, the postseason, and 2024 Spring Training, the obvious answer is to play Brandon Marsh in centerfield and Whit Merrifield in left field, with Cristian Pache as the reserve outfielder.
Johan Rojas? He is the 4th best option in the outfield and shouldn’t even be considered to make the major league roster out of camp. IF he can learn to hit at the major league level, he’s probably the first option. The best way to get there is having him play in Triple A Lehigh Valley.
Join The Chase
Read More
Phillies send 5 players to the 2026 MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park on July 14th
Five Philadelphia Phillies are heading to the All-Star Game at…
Jesus Luzardo K’s nine, Phillies smash 3 homers in 6-1 victory over Kansas City
Jesus Luzardo threw six innings of one-run ball on Saturday…
Phillies bullpen spoils series finale vs Pirates, bats go cold in 105 degree South Philly heat
The Phillies lost 6-1 to the Pirates on Thursday afternoon…
Numbers don’t lie. Baseball always finds the weak link.
Amen brother
I disagree Rohas saves runs, ends rallies and allows pitchers to be more aggressive because of his defense. Do not overlook his contributions.
No one is denying that. He also can’t hit or turn a lineup over so he needs time to learn how to do that.