Inside The Phillies

Philadelphia Phillies Rookie Makes Dazzling Double Play in MLB Debut

Johan Rojas made his first MLB start for the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday and his first play turned out to be a double play.

Matthew Postins

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
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Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas pulled off an incredible feat in the field in his first Major League play on Saturday.

Against San Diego, Rojas — who was called up on Friday — made his MLB debut in center field. With a runner on first base and Fernando Tatis Jr. at the plate, Tatis drove a long fly ball into the right-center field gap. Rojas ran that ball down as he collided with the wall.

After making the catch and turning around, he realized that the runner at first base — Ha-Seong Kim — was well off first base, as he anticipated Rojas would not be able to make the catch.

Well, not only did Rojas make the catch, but he threw Kim out at first base for a double play.

It was an incredible start for the rookie, who was promoted from Double-A Reading to fill in for the injured Cristian Pache. He was placed on the 10-day injured list with right elbow irritation.

After the game, Elias Sports reported that the last time a Phillies player recorded an outfield assist in their MLB debut was Jackie Mayo on Sept. 19, 1948.

Rojas is the Phillies’ No. 6 prospect and was batting .306/.361/.484 with 20 doubles, five triples, nine home runs, 45 RBIs, 30 stolen bases and an .845 OPS with Reading.

He led the Eastern League in hits (98), triples and runs (56) and was tied for second in steals at the time of his promotion.

As for the game, the Phillies won the first game of the doubleheader, 6-4, and Rojas — who batted ninth — went 0-for-3 before the Phillies pinch-hit for him with Bryce Harper.

But he’ll have that double play to remember the rest of his career.

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Matthew Postins
MATTHEW POSTINS

Matthew Postins is an award-winning sports journalist who covers the Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros for Sports Illustrated/FanNation. He also covers he Big 12 for Heartland College Sports.

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