Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Played Crucial Role in Miguel Rojas Becoming Leader This Season

A key voice in the locker room.

Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas surely didn't expect an everyday role when the team traded for him before the 2023 season. 

The veteran stepped up as a regular in Dave Roberts' lineup due to an injury to Gavin Lux in the spring and as a vocal leader thanks to his manager's aid. 

“He explained to me my role, how my role was going to work, what they had in mind,” Rojas recalls. “One of the things I remember the most is the confidence that he gave me. (He told me), ‘You’re one of our veterans, and you’re going to be a big part of what we’re trying to do. So I want you to actually teach me and let me know the ways that you see the game as well, so that way I can learn from you as much as you can learn from me.’”

via Cary Osborne, Dodgers Insider

Rojas struggled offensively in the first half which earned some backlash from Dodger fans who grew accustomed to the great bats of Corey Seager and Trea Turner in recent seasons.

The glove-first veteran continued to provide great defense at short and spiked in power after Roberts mentioned multiple times to the media what a key role his infielder would play in the playoffs. 

Such faith paid off in spades throughout the season and it's hard to imagine the Dodgers winning 100 games without one of their own coming back home. 

Rojas started his major league career with LA in 2014 but spent the majority of his years with Miami after the team traded him to the Marlins. 

Now on the best team he's ever been a part of, Rojas already stated that anything but a championship would mean failure for the 2023 season. 

With the consistent winner LA's been in recent years, fans and the 34-year-old both agree that just the 2020 championship isn't enough for the City of Angels.