Salt Lake Bees First Baseman Rojas Takes Home PCL Honor
Jul 19, 2022, 7:31 PM
Bees infielder/outfielder Jose Rojas points to the crown as he nears home plate in game at Smith's Ballpark on July 10, 2022.
SALT LAKE CITY – Salt Lake Bees first baseman Jose Rojas was named Pacific Coast League Player of the Week for his performance July 12-17 against Las Vegas.
The Las Vegas Aviators hosted the Bees at Las Vegas Ballpark in the last series before the All-Star break for each team.
Jose Rojas is your PCL Player of the Week!
Rojas had 10 hits, 4 homers, 10 RBI and 8 runs scored last week leading the Bees to a 4-2 record in Las Vegas pic.twitter.com/VgQWz7BBUO
— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) July 19, 2022
When the Los Angeles Angels selected the contract of first baseman David MacKinnon, Salt Lake was left without a natural fit to man first.
In stepped Jose Rojas.
Throughout his career, Rojas has gotten far more attention for his bat than his defense. A third baseman by trade, Rojas has made at least one start at every defensive position but shortstop and catcher in 2022. But since MacKinnon has been in Los Angeles, Rojas has made 25 starts at first and acquitted himself nicely.
You heard the man: "That's a highlight-reel-play by Jose Rojas!" pic.twitter.com/E4kjS4xfrY
— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) July 15, 2022
But back to that bat.
Rojas collected 10 hits, four home runs & 10 RBI while scoring eight runs against the division leading Aviators last week. With a hit in all six games of the series, Rojas extended his hitting streak to 10 games.
He has also proven to be one of the most important hitters for a Bees offense that has struggled for the better part of two months.
Through 55 games with Salt Lake this season, Rojas’ 15 home runs lead the team and his 43 RBI trail only Dillon Thomas (48) and Magneuris Sierra (45). Rojas had an 11-game RBI streak come to an end in the final game before the break.
Jose Rojas's 4th home run of the series and 15th of the year.🔥 pic.twitter.com/Pil6a9NnRm
— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) July 17, 2022
With 15 blasts, Rojas is also climbing the Salt Lake Bees home run leaderboard. In 234 games with Salt Lake he has 54 long balls. According to voice of the Bees Steve Klauke, Rojas’ 54 blasts tie him with former Buzz outfielder Brian Buchanan for fifth in franchise history. Former Buzz infielder Chad Rupp is next on the list with 59.
On Deck
All of professional gets a much needed break this week. The Bees will be back in action at Smith’s Ballpark on Friday, July 22 as the Tacoma Rainiers come in to town for a three game series Friday-Sunday. Purchase tickets to see the Bees play at slbees.com. Listen to voice of the Bees Steve Klauke on sports.ksl.com.
