JUST IN: a powerful player that have just sign in for contract to deliver……..

Power-hitting infielder who revived his career in Korea is signed by the Yankees

Although he may not be as adaptable as Josh VanMeter, the minor-league deal signee on Wednesday (yet…), the Yankees added a third Triple-A slugger to their lineup on Thursday, along with a player who discovered an extra gear abroad in 2023.

The Yankees made another minor-league bombshell on Thursday afternoon, signing infielder José Rojas to a contract. At the very least, they needed a replacement at Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre for disrespected slugger Andres Chaparro. The terms of the deal are remarkably identical to those of

VanMeter’s; Rojas will receive $100,000 less if he makes the majors.

Rojas demonstrated plenty of power in the high minors, clubbing an impressive 31 dingers, 39 doubles, and seven triples in a standout 2019 season at Triple-A Salt Lake, good for a.938 OPS in the admittedly hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. However, his time with the Angels in 2021 and 2022 was less than distinguished (-1.7 career bWAR at the MLB level).

Like many young, talented athletes on the verge of success, he was only able to make a few lackluster big-league appearances due to the COVID pandemic-related elimination of 2020 in the minors. He decided to take his skills to the KBO last winter at the age of 30, and that move paid off once more (as it so frequently does) with another MLB opportunity.

Yankees sign former Angels, KBO slugger José Rojas

We’ve heard a lot more in recent years about pitchers (like Merrill Kelly, Erick Fedde, and Josh Lindblom) moving abroad to boost their stature. It frequently appears as though batters in Korea who sign big-money contracts are doing so to safely thump home runs as a sideshow; in other words, they’ve discovered a simple source of income.

Clearly seeking more possibilities domestically, Rojas finished the season with 19 home runs and an.819 OPS in 122 games with Doosan. The fact that those aren’t very impressive figures could be down to either the increased level of competition in Korea or a persistent weakness in Rojas’ swing, which hasn’t been entirely recovered since 2019.

In any case, the Yankees have been hoarding warm people throughout the first part of January, and they now have another potentially ravenous contribution. Rojas will at least get a taste of what it’s like to play Triple-A baseball away from the stale air of the west coast.