Mel Rojas Explained

Mel Rojas should not be confused with Mel Rojas Jr..

Mel Rojas
Position:Pitcher
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Birth Date:10 December 1966
Birth Place:Haina, Dominican Republic
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:August 1
Debutyear:1990
Debutteam:Montreal Expos
Finalleague:MLB
Finaldate:July 1
Finalyear:1999
Finalteam:Montreal Expos
Statleague:MLB
Stat1label:Won–loss record
Stat1value:34–31
Stat2label:Earned run average
Stat2value:3.82
Stat3label:Strikeouts
Stat3value:562
Stat4label:Saves
Stat4value:126
Teams:

Melquíades Rojas Medrano (born December 10, 1966) is a Dominican former Major League Baseball (MLB) relief pitcher. From 1990 to 1999, he played for the Montreal Expos, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers of the National League and the Detroit Tigers of the American League.[1]

Career

His best season was in 1992, when he posted a 7-1 record in 68 relief appearances. Rojas had an amazing 1.43 ERA in 100.2 innings, and a WHIP of 1.043. He primarily was the set up man for closer John Wetteland (37 saves in 1992), but Rojas was able to accumulate 10 saves that season.[2]

On May 11, 1994, Rojas struck out three batters on nine pitches in the ninth inning of a 4-3 win over the New York Mets. Rojas became the 19th National League pitcher and the 28th pitcher in major-league history to accomplish an immaculate inning.[3]

Mel Rojas joined the Sinon Bulls of the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan in 2004, played 11 games, posted 3 saves with 1.20 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 15 innings, but then was released by the team after the season ended.[4]

Personal life

Mel Rojas is the nephew of Felipe, Jesús, and Matty Alou and the cousin of Moisés Alou.[1]

Mel Rojas' son, Mel Rojas Jr. was selected 84th overall in the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates.[4] He played for the KT Wiz of the KBO League from 2017 until 2020, winning the league MVP in 2020.[4] He is currently again playing for the KT Wiz after playing for the Hanshin Tigers of the NPB.[4]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mel Rojas Jr. Drawing Interest After MVP-Caliber KBO Season . November 28, 2020 . December 14, 2020 . mlbtraderumors.com .
  2. Web site: Expos/Nationals' Top 5 relief pitchers: Camerato's take . June 8, 2020 . Jessica Camerato . December 14, 2020 . mlb.com .
  3. Web site: David Cone's immaculate inning . December 14, 2020 . metsfocus.com .
  4. Web site: Mel Rojas Jr. Signs with Hanshin Tigers . December 14, 2020 . mlbtraderumors.com .