D-backs rookie Rojas settling in after major league debut Monday
Aug 13, 2019, 10:36 AM | Updated: 2:11 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks' Josh Rojas is congratulated by first base coach Dave McKay, left, after his single off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Jake McGee in the sixth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 12, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Arizona Diamondbacks rookie Josh Rojas didn’t want to be traded at the MLB trade deadline, but for the Arizona native, it ended up being the best case scenario.
“I get to go to the hometown team with a good chance of making it to the big leagues, so it was mixed emotions,” Rojas told 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s Doug & Wolf Tuesday.
Rojas said his Triple-A team, the Round Rock Express, was watching the trade deadline and assumed they were all in the clear. He headed out with his teammates to start taking ground balls.
“Our manager got the call, and he was on the phone and pointed to me and told me I was done,” Rojas said.
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Rojas was one of four players the D-backs acquired in the trade for pitcher Zack Greinke at the trade deadline.
The 25-year old outfielder made his debut for the D-backs Monday in Colorado.
Rojas said he didn’t sleep much the night before as he constantly replayed what could happen in his major league debut. Coming into the game, he said his energy was high and he felt good even after the game started.
“My only thought was keep the ball in front of me and don’t make a throwing error,” Rojas said.
Rojas told Doug & Wolf that it felt like the first few innings of his debut flew by.
“Once the fourth, fifth inning came around, I started to settle down and realize it’s the same game, just play the same way I’ve been playing this whole year,” Rojas said.
Save that ball!@JoshRojass recorded his first Big League hit before coming around to score his first run. pic.twitter.com/Do7fDxbkAG
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) August 13, 2019
After settling in, Rojas went 2 for 4 with an RBI towards the end of the game, numbers that are indicative of his performance in the minors this season.
Between Double-A and Triple-A this year, Rojas was hitting .322 with 23 homers, 83 RBIs, 57 walks and 33 steals ahead of his call up.
As a utility player, Rojas is comfortable wherever the D-backs need him.
“As long as I’m in the lineup, I’m fine with wherever I’m at,” Rojas said. “I like moving around from game to game. It gives you a new perspective on each game.”
Following the conclusion of the team’s road trip, Rojas should make his start in front of his hometown Thursday when the D-backs return home to Chase Field to host the San Francisco Giants.
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