The Swift Current 57’s will have a former player in Major League Baseball on opening day this season.
José Rojas has been named to the Los Angeles Angels roster for opening day. The Anaheim native played for the Swift Current Indians in 2015 before he was drafted and worked his way up through the minor league system of his hometown team.
Rojas had a memorable season in Swift Current in 2015 when he was named the Western Major Baseball League Rookie of the Year and was named an infielder on the First All-Star Team. Rojas, then 22-years-old, led the league with a .366 batting average as he knocked out 52 hits in 34 games while playing shortstop for Swift Current. He also scored 21 runs and had 20 runs batted in while leading the team with 11 doubles.
Rojas was a 36th round pick of the Angels, 1,086th overall, in the 2016 MLB Draft after a standout career at Vanguard University of Southern California in Costa Mesa, CA.
His minor league career includes stints with the Orem Owlz, Inland Empire 66ers, Mobile BayBears and Salt Lake Bees. He also suited up in the Venezuelan Winter League with Bravos de Magarita and in the Mexican Pacific Winter League with Yaquis de Obregon.
Rojas had an outstanding 2019 season for AAA Salt Lake as he hit .293 with 31 home runs, 39 doubles, and 107 RBIs.
Rojas, 28, gave the Angels little choice during spring training as he hit .313 over his first 23 games with two doubles, a triple, two home runs and six RBIs. He also walked 10 times and struck out five times for a .465 on base percentage to go along with a .625 slugging percentage.
Rojas has played the majority of his time in the minors at third base, but also has significant experience at second base, first base, and in the outfield, primarily in left field.
The Angels will open the 2021 MLB regular season with four games against the visiting Chicago White Sox, beginning Thursday evening.
