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Six Former Mohawks Play in AAA in 2014

November 24, 2014 - Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL)
Amsterdam Mohawks News Release


Six former Mohawks made it to the Triple-A level this past season, those include Mel Rojas Jr, Joe Sclafani, Brandan Harris, Luke Maile, Parker Morin, and Justin Van Grouw. Here's a recap of the 2014 season of Rojas, Sclafani, and Harris. The other players will be featured in articles about Mohawks in other levels as there AAA stints were brief.

Mel Rojas Jr. had a stellar 2014 season. The 2009-2010 Mohawks outfielder from Wabash Valley Community College quickly turned heads in spring training with the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 10 games, Rojas hit .333 and on February 27 hit a go-ahead 3-run home run against the New York Yankees.

Watch the video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRhszcBk9MU

Following the spring, Rojas was assigned to the Altoona Curve in Double-A; the place where he spent the 2013 season and hit .274. This season Rojas hit .303 in Double-A with 11 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs, 6 stolen bases and 36 RBI. After playing 53 games in Altoona, Rojas was called up to the Indianapolis Indians in Triple-A. Rojas hit a respectable .277 in 77 games at the Triple-A level with 8 doubles, 4 triples, 5 home runs, 5 stolen bases and 30 RBI. His season was highlighted by a 5-RBI game off the bench on July 3 rd against Louisville and a walk-off double against Toledo on August 2 nd .

Watch the video of his walk-off hit here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7BaqgRZ59w

Mel is in his fifth professional season and in the 130 games split between Double-A and Triple-A; set career highs in home runs (10), hits (126), RBI (66), walks (66), average (.288), on-base percentage (.370) and slugging percentage (.423).

Rojas will most likely spend the 2015 season in Triple-A as he looks to be one of the better outfield prospects in the minors. A big problem Mel faces as that Pittsburgh has one of the most talented group of outfielders in the majors. So don't be surprised if Mel's name comes up in trade talks as Pittsburgh may try to trade some of their talented outfielders as a way to improve other areas of the team.

Joe Sclafani spent the summer of 2009 with the Mohawks. The Dartmouth infielder and 2012 14th round pick of the Houston Astros has shot through the minors. Only in his 3rd professional season, Joe has already reached the Triple-A level.

Starting the season at Double-A in Corpus Christi, Sclafani lasted just 36 games before getting called up to Triple-A. As a member of the Corpus Christi Hooks, Sclafani hit .285 with 4 doubles, 2 triples, 1 home run and 15 RBI.

At Triple-A in Oklahoma City, Sclafani hit .339 in 62 games with 7 doubles, 3 triples, 2 home runs and stole 7 bases.

This offseason, Sclafani played for the Salt River Rafters in the Arizona Fall League. Joe hit .370 in 12 games with 5 doubles, 1 home run and 10 RBI.

Sclafani should start the season in Triple-A with the Fresno Grizzlies after Houston decided to move their Triple-A afilation from Oklahoma City to Fresno. If Sclafani keeps up his hot hitting, it will be difficult for Houston to keep that bat on the farm.

Brendan Harris, a member of the 1999 Mohawks was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers last season after spending the previous season with the Los Angeles Angels. He had a poor spring training with the Dodgers as he only hit .136 in 17 games.

He was assigned to the Albuquerque Isotopes in Triple-A, despite hitting .333 in his first 6 games, he was released by the Dodgers in mid-April.

Harris decided to come back east and signed with the Long Island Ducks in the Independent Leagues. There Brendan hit .286 in 111 games with 21 doubles, 8 home runs, 53 RBI and lead the team with 71 walks. The Ducks went 73-67 in 2014, but fell just short of making the playoffs. Harris has had a long distibuished major league career.

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