Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — Well, that didn’t exactly go as planned, did it? In 2021, the Dodgers’ everyday shortstop was World Series MVP Corey Seager. In 2022, it was All Star sparkplug Trea Turner. And in 2023, it was supposed to be Gavin Lux, the one time top prospect in all of baseball, who turned in a solid season at second base last season. However, one weird misstep in a Spring Training game later, and that plan got shot right out of the water. Lux’s ACL injury will sideline him for the entire season, which means the Dodgers have got to pivot to plan B, fast.
Miguel Rojas (2022 [MIA]: .236/.283/.606, 6 HR)
Plan B is Miguel Rojas. Initially thought to be a Hanser Alberto-type Swiss Army knife in the infield, it’s looking like Rojas will have to be the everyday shortstop for the Dodgers when they break camp. Dodger fans will remember his brief stint with the team in 2014, especially for his no-hitter saving play at third base in the one and only no-no of Clayton Kershaw’s career.
In Miami, he was a 2.5 WAR guy for the Marlins, which isn’t such a drop-off from Gavin Lux, and he arguably has better defensive skills than the untested Lux at short. Plus, he’s not that far removed from a .285 batting average that he put up for the Fish in 2019.
“I knew what to expect when I walked in, actually fitting in with the club and what they’ve been doing for the last several years — it had me pretty excited,” Rojas said in a recent interview on MLB.com. “But being here in camp and being able to contribute and make them feel comfortable even when something bad happened to them. I want to make them feel that they got a guy that can plug in at shortstop and play every day.”
At the plate, Rojas is a good contact guy, which is a handy thing to have in that nine-hole in the batting order. He’s in the 95th percentile in strikeout rate. But it’s the glovework that will probably be where he makes his mark on the 2023 Dodgers.
“I think it’s really going to show itself without the shift this year,” said manager Dave Roberts, in the same MLB.com article. “And so, not only getting to baseballs, but the ability to finish plays with arm strength and accuracy. With the numbers, as far as defensive WAR, whatever the statistics may be, he’s going to be right at the top — he’s a plus, Major League shortstop.”
Which will definitely different from the adventures that Seager and Turner sometimes had in the field during their stays.
Other Options
After Rojas, there is not a whole heck of a lot, to be honest. Slick fielding prospect Jacob Amaya is gone, traded to obtain Rojas. Chris Taylor played shortstop at the University of Virginia, but only appeared in four games on the left side of the infield in 2022 (just one at short). Utility man Luke Williams is around as well, so he would probably be the second option after Rojas, since CT3 will be spending most of his time in the outfield in 2023. Youngster Eddys Leonard has been having good luck in the minors, but he’s only 22 and probably a couple more years away from big-league ready.
So that is not a lot to get excited about at short, especially after being spoiled by the offensive prowess of Seager and Turner for nearly a decade. But, as they say, you go to war with the army that you’ve got, not the one you wish you had. And for right now, at least, this is what we’ve got.
Get well soon. Gavin!
DODGERSBEAT RATING: C –
