Luis Rojas has no easy job as he quickly stepped into the role of manager for the New York Mets. After the Carlos Beltran regime suddenly died within the first 100 days, Rojas is the man in charge. The rookie manager has impressed those inside and out of the organization through the first couple weeks of Spring Training.
The ? is confident this team can build upon last year’s success and is excited to play under a familiar face in Luis Rojas.
Oh, and he gave an update on Willow and Mac McNeil. ??? pic.twitter.com/j6QzLU8P8x
— New York Mets (@Mets) February 12, 2020
Rojas spoke to the entire team for the first time on Monday. He asked the players to show how many of them played for him in the minor leagues. About three-quarters of the players put their hands up, which showed how close of a relationship Rojas has with the organization. Rojas spent eight seasons managing throughout the Mets minor league system before earing the quality control job in 2019.
New Role, New Rojas
His responsibility as the new manager is daunting, especially with the pressure to win in 2020. Rojas spoke to the players along with dozens of executives, which included team owner Fred Wilpon. With Mickey Callaway in charge, Rojas was reserved and quiet on the bench. As a manager, he brings confidence and energy that lacked when the inexperienced Callaway was in charge.
.@JdeGrom19 talks about his first bullpen and the team’s first workout under manager Luis Rojas.
Full Interview ? https://t.co/3qnljj2Hat pic.twitter.com/lnVGURrNVQ
— New York Mets (@Mets) February 12, 2020
Rojas also has respect from the veterans in the clubhouse, including Wilson Ramos and Dellin Betances. Beltran would have commanded the same respect, but there is a certain trust players have in someone when they have gone through the trenches with them. Rojas has worked himself from the bottom and made it to the big leagues. He has not managed a game yet and already has more credibility than Mickey Callaway ever had during his two years with the Mets.
Rojas comes from a baseball family and carries plenty of managing experience and success in the minor leagues. The Mets may have found themselves a diamond in the rough after the Beltran fiasco.