ProfileHt.: 5'11" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: R / Throws: R
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Rojas matured to the point last season that more than one instructor in the Dodgers system described him as "a little Pedro Martinez." Pitching in his first full season in the United States, the righthander led the low Class A South Atlantic League in ERA. Rojas reached the mid-90s early in 2001 and settled in the 92-94 mph range. His fastball is enhanced because he can throw his changeup for strikes and at any point in the count. He also has exceptional control and doesn't make many mistakes in the strike zone. Rojas flashed a plus slider last season but never got it consistent enough to use in crucial situations. If he can add a third pitch to his repertoire, the Dodgers say he'll be unhittable. His stature will lead to continual questions about his durability, though he hasn't had any problems to this point. While his rapid progress last year was a surprise to some, Rojas showed enough that the Dodgers had to restrain themselves from promoting him to high Class A until the end of August. He'll return there in 2002.
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