Philadelphia Phillies Hitting Coach Praises Struggling Youngster
As a mostly veteran team, the Philadelphia Phillies don't have a ton of young players to watch in Spring Training this year. Most of them are simply going through the motions and trying to get ready for the upcoming season.
That said, one youngster who's still looking to prove himself is Johan Rojas. The 23-year-old outfielder is coming off a promising rookie season where he batted .302/.342/.430 with 13 extra-base hits and 14 steals in 59 games.
He completely unraveled in the postseason, however, batting a hideous .093/.114/.163 with far more strikeouts (15) than hits (4). He was completely exposed by quality pitching in the playoffs, leading some to wonder whether he has what it takes to be a major league hitter.
On Wednesday, Phillies hitting coach Kevin Long defended Rojas, saying he belongs in the big leagues.
Rojas hasn't done much to prove that during Spring Training, however, batting .200/.200/.300 with more strikeouts (6) than hits (4).
At this point, several flaws are becoming apparent with Rojas' game.
He lacks plate discipline and power, and he may not make enough contact to take advantage of his speed.
Rojas looks like a No. 9 hitter, which is fine as long as he plays quality defense in the outfield and makes an impact on the bases. However, he might be more valuable as a fourth outfielder and pinch-runner rather than an everyday player.
Rojas deserves a chance to prove himself once the season starts. But if his issues persist, it might be time to start looking for alternatives.
