Mel Rojas Jr.
From BR Bullpen
Mel Rojas
- Bats Both, Throws Right
- Height 6' 3", Weight 200 lb.
- Born May 24, 1990 in Ensanche Esperilla D.R.
[edit] Biographical Information
Outfielder Mel Rojas Jr. comes from a prestigious baseball family. He is the son of Mel Rojas, the nephew of Francisco Rojas and his father is a cousin of the Alou clan - Matty Alou, Felipe Alou, Jesus Alou, Moises Alou, Jose Alou and Felipe Alou Jr.
Rojas stole 60 bases in 62 tries as a college freshman in 2010, leading all junior college players in swipes. Combined with his size (and related power potential), he easily became the highest pick in the history of Wabash Valley Community College. The Pittsburgh Pirates took him in the third round of the 2010 amateur draft, the 84th overall selection. He was the only position player they took in the first ten rounds.
Assigned to the State College Spikes, Rojas was at .250/.364/.310 after 26 games, with five steals in eight tries. He faded badly after that solid start, ending the year with a batting line of .207/.309/.250 in 34 games. In 2011, he moved up to the West Virginia Power of the South Atlantic League. In 131 games, he hit .246/.312/.335, with 66 runs scored and 46 RBI. He stole 23 bases but was caught 14 times while manning centerfield for the team.
