Can Johan Rojas Take the Next Step Offensively and Become an Everyday Starter for the Phillies?
The Philadelphia Phillies enter the 2025 season after a disappointing end to the season, falling to the New York Mets in the NLDS. This series, along with the entire second half of the season, there was little offense to no offense from the Phillies, as its bats went quiet heading into the postseason. Multiple players across the lineup struggled at the plate, including center fielder Johan Rojas, who hit for a .200 batting average in the playoffs and saw a drop in playing time. With the Phillies being on the doorstep of achieving their goals of returning to the World Series and looking to win a championship, they will need all hands-on deck. Players like Rojas will have to take the next step in 2025 or else will be stuck on the bench seeing little playing time. The question is, will Rojas be able to rise up to the challenge?
The 22-year-old enters the 2025 season after splitting time with Brandon Marsh for the starting position in center field last season. Both players are some of the best defenders at the position in field percentage and range per game. The range per game statistic accounts for outfield assists along with putouts and then averages that number by the amount of games played by a player. Rojas tallied a .991 fielding percentage to go along with a 1.94 range per game. Compared to Marsh with a .978 fielding percentage and 1.70 range per game. On the other hand, Marsh has had the upper hand at the plate hitting a .249 batting average with 16 home runs and 60 RBIs. Rojas is not far behind Marsh in batting averages with a .243, however, he does not bring the power that Marsh does with only three home runs in 2024 and 32 RBIs. The decision comes down to what does manager Rob Thomson value more, offensive production or defensive production.
Both players split time as the starters in center field, but Marsh spent a majority of the season as the starter in left field. The situation does not look the same this year as the Phillies brought in left fielder Max Kepler from the Minnesota Twins, who the Phillies view as an everyday starter in left field, forcing the competition to occur at the center field position. Marsh, a veteran player, looks to be consistent to who he currently is, however, Rojas still has room to grow and put in a lot of work this offseason. He spent his offseason playing in the Dominican Winter league where he batted .295 to go along with 23 stolen bases. Due to his performance, Rojas was named a Gold Glove Award winner and the league’s Rookie of the Year. Still, Rojas will have to earn his playing time in 2025 as he hopes to have better success at the plate and look to be the starter for the Phillies at the position.
