University of Hawaii third baseman Josh Rojas’ story — and storybook baseball season — has the five-W elements.
Who?
That was what Rojas wondered when his diving and soaring stops drew comparisons to Hall of Fame third baseman Brook Robinson’s defensive plays.
“I saw when they said that on TV,” Rojas said, admitting, “I have no idea who that is.”
Robinson, nicknamed the “Human Vacuum Cleaner,” retired 40 years ago after a 23-year career with the Baltimore Orioles.
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>> Who: UC Irvine (17-28, 4-11 Big West) vs. Hawaii (25-17, 7-8)
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>> TV: OC Sports on Sunday and Monday
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During his 16 seasons as UH coach, Mike Trapasso considered Jonathan Hee, who also played second and short, and Pi‘ikea Kitamura as elite third basemen. Rojas is “right up there with the best I’ve ever had,” Trapasso said.
What?
Maybe what earns Rojas GOAT consideration is the gravity-defying catch he made to seal the Rainbow Warriors’ series-clinching victory over Nevada. Or maybe it is the way he obsessively defends the third-base line. Or that Rojas has more assists (112) than second baseman Johnny Weeks (110) and the shortstop duo of Dustin Demeter and Jordan LaFave (110).
“It’s his first-step quickness,” Trapasso said, simply. “It’s all about his first-step quickness.”
Why?
Ten months ago, Trapasso was looking ahead to the 2017 season without shortstop Jacob Sheldon-Collins, who completed his UH eligibility. The Miami Marlins had drafted Demeter, and LaFave had not yet signed with the ’Bows.
“I told Josh I wanted him to play shortstop over the summer,” Trapasso said.
Rojas played second at Millennium High in Goodyear, Ariz., and alternated between second and right field at Paradise Valley (Ariz.) Community College. He played second as a UH junior in 2016.
“It’s just reacting to where the ball is going to be hit,” Rojas said of playing short.
When?
When UH’s fall training began, Demeter and LaFave were on the roster. With Johnny Weeks, last season’s third baseman now at second, Demeter and Rojas practiced at shortstop and third base.
“We saw right away how good Josh was at third because of that first step he has,” Trapasso said. “We knew right away he had a chance to be an outstanding third baseman defensively.”
Rojas said he still is trying to improve. He is adjusting to a tricky patch on the newly installed artificial surface and to planting firmer on pivots.
“I don’t think I’ve perfected (the position) at all,” Rojas said. “I still have errors at third base. It’s still an adjustment throughout the season.”
Rojas studies YouTube videos of major league third basemen, then tests a technique in practice. “If it works for me, I’ll keep it in,” he said. “If it doesn’t, I’ll try something else.”
He said he has found a stance that allows him to react better to a batted ball. “It’s a stance you’re going to be able to move quickly from,” Rojas said. “If you’re at second or short, you can kind of be in a more relaxed position ready to move long distances, whereas at third, I’m ready to move short distances very quickly.”
Where?
Rojas is now comfortable in his home away from home, in large part to catcher Kekai Rios’ family. Last year, the Rios family invited him to their Kahaluu home for barbecues. Rojas embraced the Windward side’s country life.
“It was definitely awesome to see that side,” said Rojas, who was raised in Arizona. “It’s kind of a whole different culture down there. It’s pretty cool.”
Rojas and Rios now share a place in town.
“He was somebody who took me in and allowed me to have a family away from home in Hawaii,” Rojas said.
