Mel Rojas

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #29 prospect in 2012
  Mel Rojas Sr. pitched for 10 years in the majors, but Mel Jr. decided to be a position player after seeing his father's career derailed by shoulder problems. The son turned down offers out of the Dominican Republic and redshirted for a year at Wabash Valley (Ill.) CC before going from virtual unknown to third-round pick in 2009. He led all national juco players with 61 steals while hitting .398 with 12 homers before signing for $423,900. The Pirates viewed him as a potential five-tool talent, but it hasn't translated well in his first two years in pro ball. Rojas is a switch-hitter with size, strength and bat speed. He has an inconsistent approach, however, getting pull-conscious at times and trying to slap the ball at others. He flies open in his stance, making it difficult to handle pitches on the outer half. He's more productive from the left side of the plate, batting just .200/.260/.281 against southpaws in 2011. Rojas has solid but not blazing speed and isn't the same basestealing threat he was at Wabash Valley, getting caught 14 times in 37 steal attempts last year. He glides to balls in center field and has a good arm for the position. The learning curve in pro ball has proven steep so far for Rojas, who will go to high Class A this year. Pittsburgh still likes his upside even if he's moving slower than expected.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #23 prospect in 2011
  Rojas was the only player the Pirates picked in the first 10 rounds of the 2010 draft who was not a righthanded pitcher, and he came not only with the potential to be an everyday center fielder but also with major league lineage. He is the son of the former reliever of the same name. He turned down offers to sign out of the Dominican Republic to attend Wabash Valley (Ill.) CC, redshirting his freshman year. After he led all national juco players with 61 steals in 64 attempts last spring, Pittsburgh drafted him in the third round and signed him for $423,900. Rojas has slightly above-average speed and good arm strength, and the Pirates are confident that he can stay in center. The bat is a much harder read. He has a fairly flat swing, which could help him keep the ball on the ground, though it does not bode well for power or even line-drive contact. He does not barrel balls consistently and often looks defensive at the plate, but a generally sound approach brought respectable strikeout/ walk numbers. The swing will take work, but the Pirates appreciate the raw tools enough that the pieces could add up. Some see him as having five-tool potential, though with no true plus tool, but others see him as a tweener who won't be able to remain in center and may not hit enough for a corner. He should be able to open 2011 in the West Virginia outfield.