Dodgers’ Miguel Rojas Wins Prestigious Award
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas was voted by his teammates and coaches on Tuesday as the 2024 recipient of the Roy Campanella Award.
This prestigious award is given each year to the Dodgers player who best represents the spirit and leadership of the legendary Hall of Fame catcher.
Rojas was presented with the award during Wednesday night’s pregame ceremony. Roy Campanella’s daughter, Joni Campanella Roan, along with his grandson, Cari Bell, presented the award to Rojas.
At 35, Rojas is the 14th Dodger to receive the Campanella Award, and only the fifth player aged 35 or older to earn the honor. The others include Jamey Carroll in 2010 (at 36), Chase Utley in both 2016 and 2018 (at 37 and 39), and Justin Turner in 2020 (also at 35).
Former shortstop Rafael Furcal received the inaugural Roy Campanella Award in 2006 and since then the honor has been awarded to Russell Martin (2007), James Loney (2008), Juan Pierre (2009), Carroll (2010), Matt Kemp (2011), A.J. Ellis (2012), Clayton Kershaw (2013-14), Zack Greinke (2015), Utley (2016, 2018), Turner (2017, 2019-20), Chris Taylor (2021), Freddie Freeman (2022) and Jason Heyward (2023).
Unfortunately Rojas was unable to finish the game because of a left groin injury he aggravated running the bases. He is expected to be down for at least the next three games.
After spending several years with the Miami Marlins, where he established himself as a Gold Glove-caliber defender and a veteran leader in the clubhouse, Rojas came back to L.A. Rojas made his return to the Dodgers in 2023 on a two-year deal, coming back to the team where he first debuted in the majors on June 8, 2014.
The Venezuelan shortstop has been rock solid in the field this season. Entering Wednesday, he has started 84 games, 65 of those at shortstop, where he’s posted an impressive .992 fielding percentage, making only two errors. Among shortstops with at least 50 games, his fielding percentage is the best in the league.
On the offensive side, Rojas has fashioned one of his best seasons, slashing .283/.337/.410 with six homers, 21 doubles, eight stolen bases, and 36 RBIs in 307 at-bats. His .747 OPS is the highest he’s had in any full season, and his .283 average is his best since 2017 when he hit .290. He’s been especially effective against right-handed pitching (.296), on the road (.340), and clutch with runners in scoring position, batting .295 in those situations.
The Dodgers began the season on an incredible 24-0 run when Rojas recorded at least one hit. Even without being an everyday starter, he’s managed to put together two impressive hitting streaks — one lasting 10 games and another nine.
Beyond his performance on the field, Rojas has made a significant impact in the clubhouse since joining the team. He started a tradition of players-only toasts to celebrate series victories or sweeps, where he opens with a few words before passing the spotlight to the “player of the game.”
This season, Rojas also took the time to help Mookie Betts sharpen his skills at shortstop and has voiced his wish to spend the remainder of his career in Los Angeles.
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
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