“He Hit the Ground Running”: Jefferson Rojas Begins Career in Myrtle Beach

July 18, 2023 by Sam Weiderhaft

Not many players, especially international signings, get the call up to Myrtle Beach without getting a good amount of playing experience in the United States. For Jefferson Rojas, it was just one game in the Arizona Complex League before joining the Pelicans on June 7^th.

“He came in, hit the ground running,” Pelicans’ Development Coach Derron Davis said. “The kid is a pro, he’s a natural really anywhere you put him.”

After turning just 18 years old in April, Rojas is currently the youngest player on the Myrtle Beach roster. He was signed as an international free agent in January of 2022.

After his signing, the young infielder took off in the Dominican Summer League with a batting average of .303 through 45 games. In his first season of professional baseball, Rojas played all around the infield, with most of his playing time coming at second base.

Rojas reported to spring training in Mesa, Arizona ready for his second year in the Cubs organization. Davis noticed his “poise and maturity” that immediately stuck out on the backfields of the complex.

“It’s really hard to bother him,” Davis said. “A lot of times, the hardest thing with the young players is their poise and being able to have that baseball short-term memory. To be frustrated, but not show that you’re frustrated. He listens inventively and he makes adjustments.”

After his short stint in the Arizona Complex League, Rojas was brought to Myrtle Beach in early June and made a great impression with five multi-hit performances in his first seven games. His biggest hit was a game-tying solo home run in the top of the ninth against the Augusta GreenJackets, sparking a rally that would end in a Pelicans’ victory.

Through a month and a half, Rojas is hitting .257 in 28 games with the Pelicans. He has split time between shortstop, second base, and designated hitter, proving to be able to play multiple positions.

The Dominican Republic native has proven that despite his young age, he’s still able to make an impact in his first year of baseball in the United States. The plan for Rojas is to continue getting playing time to further his development in the Cubs organization.

“I just think he’s got to keep going,” Davis said. “He has to continue to keep his head down and work and not get so caught up in whatever his stats are. I don’t really think there’s an adjustment he has to make as far as his attitude. Pretty soon, he’s going to put it all together.”

Rojas looks to be one of the main players of this Myrtle Beach team that will make a playoff appearance come September. With his tool set and mentality, Rojas appears to be on a good developmental track to make the big leagues.

“He wants to be great.”