Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas was voted by his teammates and coaches on Tuesday because the 2024 recipient of the Roy Campanella Award.
This prestigious award is given annually to the Dodgers participant who finest represents the spirit and management of the legendary Corridor of Fame catcher.
Rojas was introduced with the award throughout Wednesday night time’s pregame ceremony. Roy Campanella’s daughter, Joni Campanella Roan, alongside along with his grandson, Cari Bell, introduced the award to Rojas.
At 35, Rojas is the 14th Dodger to obtain the Campanella Award, and solely the fifth participant aged 35 or older to earn the consideration. The others embrace Jamey Carroll in 2010 (at 36), Chase Utley in each 2016 and 2018 (at 37 and 39), and Justin Turner in 2020 (additionally at 35).
Former shortstop Rafael Furcal obtained the inaugural Roy Campanella Award in 2006 and since then the consideration 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).
Sadly Rojas was unable to complete the sport due to a left groin harm he aggravated operating the bases. He’s anticipated to be down for not less than the subsequent three video games.
After spending a number of years with the Miami Marlins, the place he established himself as a Gold Glove-caliber defender and a veteran chief within the clubhouse, Rojas got here again to L.A. Rojas made his return to the Dodgers in 2023 on a two-year deal, coming again to the group the place he first debuted within the majors on June 8, 2014.
The Venezuelan shortstop has been rock stable within the discipline this season. Coming into Wednesday, he has began 84 video games, 65 of these at shortstop, the place he’s posted a powerful .992 fielding proportion, making solely two errors. Amongst shortstops with not less than 50 video games, his fielding proportion is the very best within the league.
On the offensive facet, Rojas has long-established certainly one of his finest 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 very best he’s had in any full season, and his .283 common is his finest since 2017 when he hit .290. He’s been particularly efficient in opposition to right-handed pitching (.296), on the street (.340), and clutch with runners in scoring place, batting .295 in these conditions.
The Dodgers started the season on an unimaginable 24-0 run when Rojas recorded not less than one hit. Even with out being an on a regular basis starter, he’s managed to place collectively two spectacular hitting streaks — one lasting 10 video games and one other 9.
Past his efficiency on the sector, Rojas has made a big influence within the clubhouse since becoming a member of the group. He began a convention of players-only toasts to rejoice collection victories or sweeps, the place he opens with a couple of phrases earlier than passing the highlight to the “participant of the sport.”
This season, Rojas additionally took the time to assist Mookie Betts sharpen his abilities at shortstop and has voiced his want to spend the rest of his profession in Los Angeles.
Picture Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Pictures
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