2024 Mariners Player Rankings: #13 Josh Rojas

After sending Paul Sewald to the Diamondbacks, the Mariners finally found some stability at the second base position. Let's take a look at #13 in our 2024 player rankings, Josh Rojas.

Kansas City Royals v Seattle Mariners
Kansas City Royals v Seattle Mariners | Alika Jenner/GettyImages

The Mariners have had a black hole at second base going on for a few years now. Many thought their problems would be solved when they acquired Kolten Wong. Wong put up one of the worst seasons in Mariner's history and was released after the Mariners acquired Josh Rojas.

Sodo Mojo staff are optimistic about Josh Rojas, our #13 ranked player in this year's player rankings.

Acquiring Josh Rojas was a bittersweet moment for Mariners fans, as he was part of the deal that sent Paul Sewald to the Arizona Diamondbacks, but what Josh Rojas provided the Mariners down the stretch for a position that they have struggled to get production out of, should not be overlooked. His 2023 numbers as a whole, look like a second baseman who really regressed and struggled, but when you break it down to just his time with the Mariners, there is a lot of reason for optimism.

In 45 games with the Mariners in 2023, Rojas slashed .272/.321/.400, with a 22.4% strikeout rate. He was good for a 104 wRC+ during his time with the Mariners, this is a huge improvement over what the Mariners have gotten from there the last few years. He has the flexibility to play 2nd base, 3rd base, and even some corner outfield spots.

Rojas does have some split concerns which I think is a big reason the Mariners acquired Luis Urias. Yes, I am still holding out hope that they acquire a legit third baseman, to allow the Urias/Rojas platoon. Rojas had a 69 wRC+ against lefties during his time with the Mariners while he had a 111 wRC+ against righties in that same time.

I look forward to seeing Rojas play a full season with the Mariners and I think in a situation where he will spend a lot of it in a platoon with Urias, you will see the Mariners put Rojas in a position to succeed. I think he will get somewhere around 400-450 plate appearances if he can stay healthy, and the Mariners will see production at second base like they haven't seen since the Robinson Cano days. Rojas showed a lot of promise of what a lineup could look like with an adequate second baseman and has earned the #13 spot in our 2024 player rankings.

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