Apr 17, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) celebrates with outfielder Johan Rojas (18) after hitting a two-run home run against the Colorado Rockies in the sixth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports Kyle Ross
If you look at the box score of the Phillies 5-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, you'll see that Johan Rojas didn't score a run. Nor did he have an RBI.
If you watched the game, you didn't see a highlight reel catch in center field either.
And yet, after the game, manager Rob Thomson was effusive in his praise of the Phillies centerfielder.
"This was the best major league game he's played in my opinion because that's exactly what he needs to do," Thomson said. "He needs to move runners, put the ball in play, sacrifice and play good defense."
Rob Thomson on Johan Rojas: “This was the best Major League game he’s played.”
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/28ykwPnZT2
— On Pattison (@OnPattison) April 3, 2025
So while the primary focus of the victory was continued dominance from Zack Wheeler, Edmundo Sosa picking up three more hits, Trea Turner returning to the starting lineup with three hits of his own and Kyle Schwarber extending his season-opening hitting streak to five games, it was Rojas who was drawing the most attention in the clubhouse postgame.
That's because every plate appearance was excellent.
He laced a two-out single to center field in the third inning, allowing the top of the order an opportunity to drive him home (although Turner followed with a hit of his own, Bryce Harper lined out to shortstop to end the inning).
In the fifth, he bunted for a base hit while also moving a runner from second to third. Once on base, he stole second, and the Phillies loaded the bases with nobody out, but again didn't score.
In the seventh inning, he bunted again, although this time with the sole intention of getting a runner to third base with less than two outs. That led to a key insurance run for the Phillies.
In the eighth inning he worked a walk to again load the bases, and was left stranded again.
But man, did he create opportunities.
"The first bunt I was trying to get a base hit but move (the runner) at the same time," Rojas said. "The second one I just wanted to sacrifice."
Rojas has struggled in the past when it came to bunting. So far this season, it looks like those struggles are behind him.
#Phillies centerfielder Johan Rojas feels more comfortable bunting this season than previous ones.@KYWNewsradio pic.twitter.com/hBuvUrr6UO
"It's a lot better," Rojas said. "I've been working on it every day. I bunt inside (pitches). I bunt outside (pitches). And I feel really, really, really great."
Rojas is clearly the fourth outfielder on the Phillies, but if he can help the Phillies manufacture runs when his number is called, he can serve a critical role to the team's success.
When Trea Turner had to miss the second game of the season in Washington with back spasms, Edmundo Sosa stepped in and had two hits.
Turner missed the third game, too. Sosa had two hits in that one as well.
Then came the home opener. Turner was available to pinch hit in that one, and ultimately did, but Sosa started the game at shortstop and guess what he did? He had two more hits, including a clutch two-run double.
Turner returned on Wednesday, but Thomson kept Sosa in the lineup, starting him at second base ahead of Bryson Stott.
Sosa didn't get two hits in this game. Instead, he got three.
Edmundo Sosa has 9 hits in his first 15 ABs of the season!
H/T: @2008Philz
pic.twitter.com/lulvF4zvHr
Sosa is now 9-for-15 (.600) to start the season. He is the first Phillie with four multi-hit games to start his season since both Ryan Howard and Placido Polanco did it five straight times to begin the 2010 campaign.
Will he get a chance to match them on Thursday?
"I'm going to call MLB and see if we can play 10 (guys)," Thomson joked. "We have to think about that one. Stott's got to play. Turner's got to play if he comes in fine tomorrow and Bohm's swinging the bat too. So, it's a good problem to have."
It wouldn't surprise if Bohm gets the day off on Thursday to see if Sosa can keep his hot streak rolling, but it's also understandable if he goes back to the role he fills on the Phillies as their top bench bat.
"Sosa is one of my favorite players to watch in the big leagues," said Zack Wheeler. "He plays hard. He's really good in the field and he's swinging it right now. He plays the game the right way and is just a good guy, so it's cool to watch."
And it's safe to assume that everyone in the clubhouse feels the same way about him, right?
"I believe so, yeah," Wheeler said.
