Pirates Sign Veteran Utilityman With Solid Career Numbers

The Pittsburgh Pirates have strengthened their minor league depth by signing utilityman José Rojas to a minor league contract, assigning him to Triple-A Indianapolis. 

Originally from Anaheim, California, Rojas brings versatility to the Pirates' system with his ability to play multiple positions in both the infield and outfield. 

This move follows his recent stint with the New York Yankees' Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, where he showcased a solid performance, hitting .254 with 18 home runs over 67 games.

The Pirates have signed utilityman Jose Rojas to a minor-league deal. He will be assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Rojas, 31, had a .920 OPS in 67 games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the Yankees' system. He's played parts of two seasons with the Angels in 2021-22.

— Alex Stumpf (@AlexJStumpf) July 25, 2024

Rojas began his professional career when the Los Angeles Angels selected him in the 36th round of the 2016 MLB Draft. 

He made his MLB debut with the Angels in 2021, appearing in 61 games and hitting .208 with six home runs. 

Despite facing challenges in the majors, he has consistently demonstrated his offensive capabilities at the Triple-A level, maintaining a solid .273/.346/.532 slash line across nearly 1500 plate appearances. His recent form with the RailRiders highlights his potential value, boasting a .359 on-base percentage and a .561 slugging percentage in the 2023 season.

His ability to contribute both offensively and defensively makes him a promising asset for Pittsburgh, offering a reliable option for potential call-ups to the major league team. 

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports