MLB Infielder Heading To Korea

After being designated for assignment twice this season and never really catching on in his two years in the majors, 29-year-old utilityman Jose Rojas has decided to take his talents to Korea, signing a deal to play with the Doosan Bears of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).

Ilgan Sports is reporting that the Doosan Bears are likely to sign 3B/OF Jose Rojas, who played for LAA and SFG orgs in 2022. #KBO https://t.co/KerGegYdxX

— Sung Min Kim (@sung_minkim) October 20, 2022

Born in Anaheim, Rojas got a chance to live his dream playing with his hometown Los Angeles Angels in 2021, playing in 61 games, while hitting .208 with six home runs and 15 RBIs. This season, his stay on the Angels' roster was much briefer, as he only mustered up 56 at-bats in 22 games, while hitting an anemic .125 with a .301 OPS. 

He was placed on waivers in September when the San Francisco Giants claimed him, but then DFA'd him just two weeks later. 

One thing that could be said for Rojas was he was extremely versatile. While with the Angels, he saw time at 1B, 2B, 3B, LF and RF. 

His numbers in the minors, however, have been much more robust throughout his professional career, as he's hit .286 with an .850 OPS over six minor league seasons. He slugged 31 homers with 107 RBIs at Triple-A Salt Lake of the PCL in 2019, showing some thunder in his bat. He might be able to carry that over to the KBO, where the quality of play is much closer to that level of professional ball in North America.

According to Korean language sports publication never.com, Rojas "was on the signing list of several clubs in the KBO."

Photo: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports