A spring training Q&A with Miguel Rojas, a steady presence in the Marlins’ clubhouse
Miguel Rojas knows what is at stake for the Miami Marlins as they hit this critical juncture of their latest rebuild.
It’s Year 3 under the Bruce Sherman and Derek Jeter ownership group. The shortstop has seen the process unfold, from trading the club’s top players to watching the prospects received in return making their way to being ready for their Major League Baseball debuts.
It’s also a critical year for Rojas. He just finished his first season as the Marlins’ everyday shortstop after starting as a defensive replace and then becoming a utility starter in the infield. Rojas hit .284 with 29 doubles, 46 RBI, 52 runs scored and five home runs in 132 games.
He has since evolved into the leader in the clubhouse, a steward of sorts who is becoming a go-to source for the Marlins’ rising prospects and newly added veterans. He signed a two-year contract extension at the end of the 2019 season.
“The last couple of years, he has kind of showed that he can be an everyday guy,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “But the leadership, obviously with what we’ve been going through, you need guys that are buying into what we’re doing, that are all in on doing things right and playing the game right, just the attitude that you bring. ... It’s nice to have a guy who has been here for a little bit who has been that guy and isn’t afraid to speak up when he has to. A lot to really like about Miggy.”
Below is a Q&A with Rojas as spring training nears the halfway point and the March 26 season opener against the Philadelphia Phillies gets that much closer.
You guys are about a week and a half into spring training games now. What have been your overall impressions?
“The talent is out there. Our talent is so much better than in the past. I don’t know if it’s because of the experience or just the raw talent that these guys have. And the production we’re getting is coming from different sources. We got JJ Bleday in the draft. We got a couple guys that came here from trades. We have guys that have been in the organization for a long time and now they’re getting here [to the Major Leagues] and they’re making an impact. I’m pretty excited about the future of this club. They’re opening people’s eyes. They want to be part of the future. Hopefully they can help this organization.”
What is it like watching the young guys — shortstop Jazz Chisholm, first baseman Lewin Diaz, and outfielders Jesus Sanchez and Jerar Encarnacion for example — who are making an impression in their first big-league camp with the team?
“It’s so good. The first thing I think of is that it’s refreshing because we have a lot of guys who are in the later parts of their careers and in the middle parts of their career like myself. It’s refreshing seeing some talent coming here hungry and want to take your spot in a good way. Another thing that I see with that, with these guys showing up to camp is that we’re all pushing each other. Guys behind us are pushing us to be better. It forces you to get better every day. It’s so critical because they can push us and it makes for a better clubhouse and team.”
With Jazz Chisholm specifically, what advice have you given him throughout camp?
“One of the things that I talk with him about is being able to control what you can control at this moment. Your time will come. For me, all he’s doing right now is positive because he’s showing that he’s ready to go and ready to be here. At the same time, you have to be smart with the decisions that you’re making. What is your game? Who are you as a player? What can you do and what can’t you do? For me, the biggest thing for a guy like Jazz or Jose Devers as they’re coming up is don’t think too much about what the guy next to me can do and trying to do the same thing. Be able to be yourself and just put yourself in the best position to be the best player that you can be. Don’t think you have to go out there just to impress someone. Everybody here knows what the talent level is like. Just play your game. That’s one of my biggest pieces of advice to all of the young guys. They come to spring training for the first time and sometimes you want to impress. Sometimes you want to put out a better first look. At the same time, you have to understand that this is a game that takes time. You don’t have to go out there just to impress somebody. That’s when things can start going backward.”
For you, how important was last season to not only show that you can be an everyday starting shortstop, but also to step up and be one of the vocal veterans in the clubhouse?
“I feel like having the opportunity to be in this organization for six years has given me a lot of knowledge of what has been happening and what’s happening now with the new ownership. I know the plan. I know what they want. I’m just trying to be a translator from what I’m seeing from the years before to what we’re seeing now. That’s my biggest thing on being a leader. My philosophy is making everyone feel comfortable in the clubhouse and not just on the field. I want to be a good source for them off the field, too. If you want to know something about Miami, where you should go, what to expect, what not to expect. That’s one of the things I’m taking charge of, but at the same time, I just want to be a good teammate. I don’t necessarily want to be the captain or whatever it is. I just want to be a good leader and a good teammate at the end of the day.”
This story was originally published March 2, 2020 at 1:02 PM.
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