Current Dodgers Infielder Wants to Be MLB Manager One Day
There is no definitive metric to quantify the impact and influence veteran infielder Miguel Rojas has had on the Los Angeles Dodgers this season. If one had to try, it might be the Dodgers’ 15 defensive runs saved from their third basemen, shortstops and second basemen combined.
Mookie Betts, Gavin Lux, and Max Muncy have reaped the benefits of Rojas’ unselfishness this season. He went from the team’s everyday shortstop last season to a part-time role player this year. However, he spends hours before every game tutoring his teammates with the finite details of infielding.
Rojas’ contract includes a $5-million option for 2025 that he hopes the Dodgers will pick up. After that, the 35-year-old is looking to transition into coaching.
“I understand what part of my career I’m in right now — I might be playing for a few more years and then I’m going to have to do something after baseball,” Rojas told Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. “I’m embracing this opportunity to actually start coaching a little bit with my teammates. That way, I can prepare myself for what’s coming next.”
Eventually, he’d like to become a big-league manager.
“I feel like there’s many possibilities, but my main focus and my main goal is to manage at the big-league level,” Rojas said. “I don’t know how I’m gonna get there.”
There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that Rojas won’t achieve his dream. His teammates and coaches are watching the next stage of his career blossom before their eyes.
“When I was in the minor leagues, I was the guy helping the younger players, the guy who wanted to learn how to manage a game, and that’s what Miggy is doing when he’s not playing,” said Dino Ebel, who still aspires to manage in the big leagues.
“And that’s just going to fall right into place when that day comes for him. If he wants to stay in the game, there’s going to be a job for him.”
Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? Subscribe and hit that notification bell to stay up to date on all the latest Dodgers news, rumors, interviews, livestreams, and more!
