The Philadelphia Phillies are postseason-bound for the fourth year in a row, and for the second straight season, they are the winners of the National League East. With a chance to secure a first-round bye, the Phillies are gearing up for some October baseball.
One of the ways that the Phillies will prepare for the postseason is by adjusting their roster. While Trea Turner, Alec Bohm, and Edmundo Sosa will all return, there’s another player who the Phillies could add to the postseason roster, and he’s currently in the minors.
If the Phillies decide to make a creative roster decision, going with just 12 pitchers for the NLDS or Wild Card round, Matt Gelb of The Athletic identified a perfect roster candidate for the 14th position player for the Phillies.
Phillies could recall ‘dark horse’ outfielder for postseason roster
As Gelb alludes to, there is a scenario in which the Phillies carry 12 pitchers to 14 position players. If they make such an intriguing decision, the Phillies could turn to one player for that 14th spot: outfielder Johan Rojas.
“It makes sense to consider Johan Rojas.” Gelb writes. “Regardless of what Rojas can or cannot do at the plate, he’d give the Phillies elite speed and defense for late-game playoff situations.”
Rojas would be a very fun chess piece for Rob Thomson to utilize this October. While in years prior, Rojas was the starting center fielder, he can instead be fully utilized for his strengths, rather than accepting his weaknesses.
Harrison Bader will be the everyday center fielder, while Max Kepler, Brandon Marsh, Nick Castellanos, and Weston Wilson will platoon in the outfield corners. Otto Kemp would be another outfield option from the right side of the plate if needed, if he stays on the roster.
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But with Rojas, he could be a perfect defensive substitution late in games for Castellanos, or a pinch-runner in situations where the Phillies need a speedy player on the base-paths.
Rojas doesn’t need to start every game like he’s done the last few postseasons. Instead, his strengths (speed and defense) can be fully utilized if needed.
And at worst, if the Phillies need to let Rojas come to bat, he’s shown solid numbers in the minor leagues. He’s hitting .280 at Triple-A with a .695 OPS. He won’t hit for power; that isn’t his game. But if he can put the ball in play, good things can happen with his speed.
Gelb’s mention of Rojas being a potential postseason call-up is something to keep in mind come the postseason. He’s a role-specific player, and for the Phillies, he’d be a solid addition to the team that would provide an interesting dynamic in October.
Rojas has shone in the postseason before and could easily become a valuable piece of the Phillies’ roster this season after playing in 71 games earlier in the year with the Phillies.
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