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Kendry Rojas Continues To Impress In Short Notice Start
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- Kendry Rojas Continues To Impress In Short Notice Start
(Bruce Kluckhohn - Imagn Images)
Rojas gave the Twins an impressive spot start on Saturday.
Before the Minnesota Twins took on the Athletics on Saturday evening, Mike Paredes was scratched from his scheduled start after he suffered a left oblique strain warming up in the bullpen before the game.
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Immediately, the Twins needed an arm to turn to with just under an hour to go until start time of the game. They know who to turn to in their staff when they need emergency innings, despite such short notice.
Minnesota tabbed left-hander Kendry Rojas to start Saturday's game in place of Paredes. What he went on to do in his outing was not only impressive for the rookie, but exactly what the Twins needed on the mound.
Rojas turned in a remarkable outing with practically no notice of starting the game. His four innings of work tied for his longest outing in both the major and minor leagues this season, as he allowed just one hit and no runs while striking out five batters.
Conversely, his stuff looked exceptional despite the short amount of warmup time. His fastball topped out at 98 mph, as the pitch averaged 96.4 mph in the outing.
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In his opportunities so far this season, Rojas has taken advantage of his time at the major league level. He has flashed some nasty stuff in his pitches that has reflected in his numbers, showing that he has the capability of a potential top starter for the team in the near future.
One of the highest touted prospects in their farm system, Rojas has been managed tediously by Minnesota, primarily coming on as a long-relief option with the ability to make spot starts when needed by the team. Though the team is still handling his load with much care, he hasn't shied from the stage.
The 23-year-old's four scoreless innings lowered his season ERA to 2.81 in 25 ⅔ innings. He had made 10 appearances this season, four of which having been starts.
Most importantly, Rojas showed in his outing on Saturday that he not only has the capability to attack the zone, but he will do so with poise. His spin rates, primarily on his four-seamer, slider and sinker, were all top-notch against a young yet talented Athletics' offense.
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Despite not pitching enough innings to put himself in line for the win, Rojas played a huge part in putting the Twins in a position to strike and win the ballgame. Minnesota did so in a 2-0 shutout victory, one that was spearheaded by Rojas' stellar short-notice performance.
