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Former Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects Elects To Stay Overseas
After spending four years starring in Korea a former Pittsburgh Pirates prospect will now take his talents to Japan for the 2021 season
When the offseason began, it appeared that outfield Mel Rojas Jr. may attempt to make an impact on Major League Baseball in 2021. A former draft pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Rojas Jr. was contemplating signing with a MLB team for 2021.
The past four seasons Rojas Jr. raked in South Korea’s Korean Baseball Organization. During his four seasons in South Korea, Rojas Jr. had a wRC+ of 125, 139, 148, and 179. He just continued to improve each season.
Rojas Jr.’s success in the KBO peaked last season. During the 2020 season, Rojas Jr. hit for a .349/.417/.680 slash line, to go with the aforementioned 179 wRC+. As Rojas Jr. was raking in the KBO, we took a look at the success he was finding.
For his performance in the KBO during the 2020 season, Rojas Jr. was named the league MVP. Due to this, it appeared that the 30-year-old Rojas Jr. may draw interest from MLB clubs. While this MLB interest was definitely there, nothing ever came of it for Rojas Jr. Instead, he believed his best opportunity was in Japan. This opportunity in Japan came on a two-year contract with the NPB’s Hanshin Tigers.
The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Rojas Jr. in the third-round of the 2010 MLB Draft. In this draft, the Pirates took Roajs Jr. with the 84th overall pick in the draft. Rojas Jr. then rose through the Pirate organization while raking the ball. This made him a well known prospect among fans of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Next. Free Agent Target: Julio Teheran. dark
In a move that was a bit of a surprise, the Pirates traded Rojas Jr. to the Atlanta Braves during the 2016 season. This came after Rojas Jr. jad posted three consecutive seasons of above average production in the minors.