Josh Rojas: Eight Games in Reno
On July 31, 2019, the Arizona Diamondbacks traded RHP Zack Greinke to the Houston Astros in exchange for prospects INFSeth Beer, RHP Corbin Martin, RHP J.B. Bukauskas and INF Josh Rojas. On August 2, Josh Rojas arrived in the Biggest Little City.
On July 31, 2019, the Arizona Diamondbacks traded RHP Zack Greinke to the Houston Astros in exchange for prospects INFSeth Beer, RHP Corbin Martin, RHP J.B. Bukauskas and INF Josh Rojas.
On August 2, Josh Rojas arrived in the Biggest Little City.
"When I got traded, it's like the next day you have to pack up your entire house and all the stuff you have. There was a lot of stuff I had to leave behind and give away, to move that fast…it was crazy," Rojas said.
The sweet-swinging lefty spent just eight games with the Aces in 2019, but left an impression that will last a lifetime.
Rojas hit .514 (18-for-35) with three home runs, four doubles, a triple, 14 RBIs, and 11 runs scored while playing games at shortstop, third base, left field, and right field. The Aces went 6-2 during the eight-game time frame.
"What I really felt like was…before that…I was a 26th round pick," Rojas said on if he felt like he had something to prove after the trade. "I was the guy at the bottom of the list just working my way up, then when that trade happened, you're kind of put on the big screen and the spotlight is on you. I put a lot of pressure on myself when I got traded. I said, 'Alright, the spotlight is on you, let's see what you can do.'"
While he may have put a lot of pressure on himself, he thrived in the spotlight and the D-backs couldn't help but notice his torrid stretch. Rojas was called up to the Major Leagues on August 12, just 10 days after arriving in Reno. He went 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored against the Rockies that day and spent the remainder of the 2019 season with the Diamondbacks.
While the organization was new, Rojas felt right at home in Arizona…literally.
Born in Glendale, AZ Rojas was a 2013 graduate out of Millennium High School in Goodyear, AZ. He spent his first two collegiate seasons at Paradise Valley CC in nearby Phoenix. After finding success on the junior college level, Rojas found himself out of the desert…and onto the beach.
Rojas enrolled at the University of Hawaii for his final two prep seasons where he played in 98 games for the Rainbow Warriors batting .268 (87-for-325) with five home runs, 20 doubles, seven triples, 41 RBIs, and 48 runs scored to go with a .367 OBP and .418 SLG%. The two-year stretch was good enough to catch the Astros' attention as he was drafted in 2017 after his senior year.
After spending two years on the island and his first two professional seasons in the Astros' organization, he's excited to play in front of his family once again.
"I got my parents, grandparents, and my uncle that have never missed a game whether it's on their phone on the MiLB app or however they have to do it…they are usually watching my games," Rojas said on his support system. "Now that they have a chance to come watch me play close, they don't miss it."
And within the D-backs clubhouse, he's been getting support from a seasoned veteran.
"(Eduardo) Escobar is the man, I call him 'Jefe,' that guy is unbelievable," Rojas said. He's a great player but on top of that he's super humble and willing to take anyone under his wing. Just because he's a veteran and I'm a rookie, he doesn't separate himself. He's been a huge help just showing me how to be a professional and go about my day and prepare for games so he's been awesome."
Josh Rojas has a real chance to break camp with the Diamondbacks out of Spring Training. His left-handed bat and ability to play many different positions will be valuable no matter what level he's assigned to in 2020. If he's in Reno, enjoy watching him play while you can.
---
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two
Rox young sluggers aim to bring pop back to Coors Field
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Coors Field may provide the best run-scoring environment in Major League Baseball, but the Rockies haven’t taken advantage of it in recent years. Even without adjusting for Coors, they have fielded offenses worse than the league average the past three seasons, and they scored the fewest runs
Astros brass sees potential in consistently 'underranked' farm system
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The last time the Astros landed in the top 10 of MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings was before the 2019 season. Since those rankings expanded to all 30 teams ahead of the 2020 season -- 11 lists in total -- they’ve never ranked higher than
Complete results and highlights from Spring Breakout
The second edition of MLB Spring Breakout is complete, and there was no shortage of highlights from the future stars of Major League Baseball over the four-day showcase. Here's a complete breakdown of the 16-game exhibition:
Southpaw Spring Breakout: White Sox future on display with Schultz, Smith
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If all goes as planned for the White Sox, left-handers Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz won’t spend much time following each other to the mound in a single game. Schultz, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 16 overall, per MLB Pipeline, and Smith, who is
In first pro game, Rainer offers pop, promise to Tigers fans
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Bryce Rainer’s pro career consisted of workouts and batting practice until Sunday.
'Me and Brady on the dirt again': House, King reunite at Spring Breakout
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The 2025 Spring Breakout was a flashback for Brady House and Seaver King. Over 10 years ago, the infielders were travel ball teammates in Georgia who shared the dream of making it to the Major Leagues. Now, they are top prospects in the same organization,
Lambert -- 'an adrenaline guy' -- hoping to be next Mets bullpen gem
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Ryan Lambert loves throwing hard. He relishes the idea of getting to two strikes and blowing hitters away. “Get me in a game,” Lambert said, “cool things will happen.”
Stewart embraces Spring Breakout: 'What's not to love?'
PHOENIX -- Sal Stewart was one fired-up Reds prospect. On Sunday in the first inning during the organization's 9-7 Spring Breakout win over Brewers prospects, Stewart lifted a 2-2 pitch that sailed over the center fielder's head to the wall. Already not known as a speedster, he stumbled running between
Prospect Peña quietly drawing raves in Brewers' farm system
PHOENIX – Jesús Made was at the top of the Brewers’ lineup for Sunday’s 9-7 loss to the Reds in the finale of MLB’s four-day Spring Breakout, a fitting perch when you consider that the 17-year-old infielder is under a bright spotlight as MLB Pipeline’s No. 55 prospect. Made could
Brecht -- in 1st outing since '24 Draft -- wows at Spring Breakout
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Sunday's Spring Breakout showcase was the perfect unveiling for Rockies No. 5 prospect Brody Brecht. A right-handed pitcher from the University of Iowa whom the Rockies selected 38th overall last summer, Brecht had a nice collegiate resume, an interesting backstory as a former wide receiver for the
Braves prospects show promise in Spring Breakout
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Terry Pendleton prepared to serve as the manager of the Braves prospect team that played the Tigers prospect team in a Spring Breakout game on Sunday afternoon, he said fans should be patient with John Gil and Luis Guanipa, a pair of teenagers who have
Yanks' Lagrange flashes triple-digit heat in Spring Breakout
SARASOTA, Fla. -- There was an audible “Ooh” from the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium, and Carlos Lagrange quickly glanced beyond the right-field wall, checking the velocity of the pitch he’d just thrown in Saturday’s 5-4 Spring Breakout loss to the Orioles. It had registered in the triple digits, and
Bradfield dedicates Spring Breakout performance to late friend
SARASOTA, Fla. -- It was about more than playing in the national spotlight. More than the dinner bet placed with an old college teammate earlier in the month. More than a game. As Enrique Bradfield Jr. slid home to score a run during the first inning of Saturday night’s Spring