The Phillies on Friday called up outfield prospect Johan Rojas for the first time.
Rojas is a 22-year-old center fielder from the Dominican Republic who has been more of a defensive presence than a bat throughout his minor-league career until this season. Hitting the ball on the ground too frequently had been an issue for the right-handed Rojas in prior years but he has enjoyed a dynamic first half with Double A Reading, hitting .306/.361/.484 with 20 doubles, five triples, nine home runs, 45 RBI and 30 stolen bases in 38 attempts.
Rojas, the Phillies’ No. 6 prospect, per MLB.com, has plus speed and defensive ability and is the sort of player capable of providing a spark. He signed with the Phillies in January 2018 for just $10,000.
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The Phils placed Josh Harrison on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a right wrist contusion and Cristian Pache on the 10-day IL with elbow irritation, retroactive to July 11.
The Phillies’ other call-up ahead of their first game of the second half was infielder Drew Ellis, who had a two-homer game at Nationals Park in his brief stint with the Phils the first week of June.
The Phillies open a four-game series with the Padres Friday night at Citizens Bank Park that includes a rare scheduled doubleheader Saturday.