NL DIVISION SERIES: PHILLIES VS BRAVES

October 12, 2023

Johan Rojas

Citizens Bank Park

Philadelphia Phillies

Postgame 4 Press Conference

Phillies 3 - Braves 1

Q. Rojas, please talk about that catch, what went through your mind when you were tracking that ball down.

JOHAN ROJAS: I knew he was a pretty good hitter. I knew the bases were loaded. I worked really hard on my prepitch. I want to be ready at all times. That's my mindset when I go out there. If you want to score on me playing center field, you're going to have to hit a homer.

Q. Johan, can you talk about the route itself? It looked like you kind of at the end like adjusted a little bit. The way you were tracking the ball, what was the actual route like?

JOHAN ROJAS: I was playing a little middle away towards right field. Again, I knew he was a good hitter, but again when I was tracking the ball down, I took my eyes off the ball because I wanted to check where the wall was. And, again, we get ready for moments like that. That's what we play for. I knew I had to catch that ball.

Q. Can you kind of get your head around where you are right now versus kind of where you were in April, number one, and number two, you're playing with superstars in there. How have they made you feel comfortable enough to sort of be yourself?

JOHAN ROJAS: I mean, from day one, everyone has been very, very welcoming to me. Everyone welcomed me with open arms, and there's no better feeling for a rookie like me. I love playing for this team. I love playing for this city. I love playing for this crowd, for these fans. It's an awesome place to be.

Brandon Marsh and Nick Castellanos are always talking to me giving me advice. I'm very, very happy for Nick. He had a great series against the Braves. So hopefully he can keep it going. Again, I cannot be happier to be here.

Q. (Inaudible). Question about where he was and where he is now.

JOHAN ROJAS: I'm not going to lie to you. I can't believe it, but my goal has always been to be in the Big Leagues, to win a World Series. So I'm very happy to be able to help this team win.

Q. My question to you, Johan, is a lot of times managers around baseball aren't necessarily as welcoming to young players. What's been the difference working with Rob this year and how has he made you kind of feel, even those times when you've made mistakes and things of that nature?

JOHAN ROJAS: I met Thomson a couple of spring trainings ago, and he's been great to me. I always say that he's like a father to me. I don't think he can even imagine how grateful I am for all the opportunities he's given me, for all the advice he's given me. We talk about the game. He teaches me things pretty much every single day, and that goes a long way for me.

Q. Johan, before Game 2, you said that you are a winning player. How does it feel to make a play that was critical in winning this game and ultimately winning this series?

JOHAN ROJAS: First and foremost, I have to thank God for these amazing opportunities. What can I say? This team was built to win. This is like a family. We go out there every single day to give 100 percent. We're going to play really, really hard because we want to win games. We're hungry to win a lot of games.

Q. Maybe when you came up here, you didn't think you were going to play every day. You thought you were going to be here, just drink a cup of coffee, not play much. But it's been very different. You've been playing a lot. You've been doing a lot of things for this team. Can you tell us how this experience is like for you in the Big Leagues?

JOHAN ROJAS: The cool thing to play with so many superstars is that you learn something new every day. And even if I'm not playing, if I'm on the bench, I know I have to give a lot of energy to my teammates. They do it for me, so I have to do it for them. We all support each other. Like I said, we're a family here. So it's really special to be among this group of superstars.

Q. Johan, this maybe wasn't the -- you maybe didn't have the series with the bat that you would have wanted. What's the process like of not taking that out in the field with you, and do guys like Brandon and Nick help you kind of put that aside when it's time to play defense?

JOHAN ROJAS: Regardless of my at-bats, I take the field when I play defense with a lot of pride. I just want to play my best defense for this team. Castellanos and Marsh are very supportive of me. They always give me good advice. They're always talking to me. They know I can use the help. So it's pretty special to have these two guys next to me, and again, I'm just trying to play my best game, even if I'm hitting or not.