The Phillies, in need of a center fielder who bats right-handed, are summoning Johan Rojas to the majors when the second half of the season begins Friday night. Rojas, one of the club’s top prospects, is being promoted from Double-A Reading, major-league sources confirmed to The Athletic.
Rojas, known for his elite defense and speed, was their choice because Cristian Pache is dealing with a right elbow injury, the team later announced. Rojas will slide into Pache’s role — with starts against lefty pitchers and chances as a late-inning defensive replacement — while Pache is on the injured list. Brandon Marsh will continue to see the majority of playing time in center.
While Rojas, 22, is an unfinished product, he is having his best season at the plate. He hit .306/.361/.484 in 354 plate appearances at Reading. Rojas just missed The Athletic’s top 100 prospects at the start of the season but Keith Law thinks he would be included among the top 100 today. The Phillies, according to the sources, view his place on the big-league roster as temporary. He is still developing, but this is a chance to expose him to better pitching while filling a suitable role. His highlight-reel plays in center field this season have gained attention.
“Best defensive center fielder I’ve ever seen in my life,” said Mick Abel, the team’s 21-year-old pitching prospect.
Tyler Henson, Reading’s hitting coach, said last month he was proud of Rojas’ improved consistency at the plate. The defense is on a different level.
“He’s the best I’ve seen in all the years throughout the minor leagues that I’ve ever played with or coached or watched from afar,” said Henson, who had a 10-year playing career in the minors. “There’s not one better in baseball. He’s fast. He’s athletic. The routes are clean. He gets to balls on his feet that most guys dive for. And it looks easy. It’s special.”
In addition to Rojas’ promotion, before Friday’s game against the Padres the Phillies recalled infielder Drew Ellis from Triple A. He replaced Josh Harrison, who went on the IL during the All-Star break with a sprained right wrist.
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