Blue Wahoos Have Four World Series Connections, Led By Dodgers Veteran Miguel Rojas 

Los Angeles Dodgers utility infielder Miguel Rojas was on the doorstep to attaining a big-league dream when he played in Pensacola in 2012, as part of the Blue Wahoos inaugural season.

Twilight has now arrived in his decorated baseball career.

As the Dodgers begin the World Series on Friday night, Rojas is an established clubhouse leader and versatile component of a team seeking back-to-back World Series titles and opportunity for three championships in six years.

“Lot of excitement,” said Rojas, speaking to media members in Los Angeles before Game 1 of the 2025 World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. “I feel like having this opportunity, you always wake up with a chance of doing something this is really big. I think winning four more games will be a legacy that will be remembered forever.”

Rojas, 36, who played 58 games for the Blue Wahoos as a Cincinnati Reds prospect in 2012, is one of three Dodgers with ties to the Blue Wahoos, as part of either the World Series roster or injured reserve list.

Dodgers backup catcher Ben Rortvedt was part of the Blue Wahoos 2019 team as a Minnesota Twins prospect. He joined the Dodgers in trade from the Tampa Bay Rays on July 31 before the MLB trade deadline expired.

One of Rortvedt’s 2019 teammates on the Blue Wahoos was pitcher Brusdar Graterol, who is on the Dodgers injured reserved list after more tough luck with injuries.

The Blue Jays connection is pitcher Tommy Nance, who made a combined six injury rehab starts for the Blue Wahoos in 2022-23 as a Miami Marlins prospect.

Nance made two appearances for the Blue Jays in the American League Division Series, but was left off the World Series roster announced Friday. Like Graterol, he would still get a World Series championship ring should his team win.

Rojas figures to be the most visible former Blue Wahoos player in the World Series. He began his career as a shortstop, but has since moved to a utility role at second base or third base. This is his 12 MLB season, after making his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 2014, then spending the next eight seasons with the Marlins.

Rojas was traded by the Marlins before the 2023 season, where he’s been embraced as a veteran mentor to younger players. He reminded of a team text message send during the Dodgers’ struggles in August when they were overtaken by the San Diego Padres for first place in the National West.

They since caught fire and returned as dominating team in September and throughout post-season. This is the Dodgers’ fifth World Series appearance since 2017 – a run that has included winning the World Series in 2020 and 2024.

“Someone sent a message saying we have a really good opportunity to do something really big,” said Rojas, speaking to media members in Los Angeles. “Not just for us, but for the city, for the organization, for baseball.

“I think that is one of things that kept us going (during team slump). Now, it’s here. We have it in front of us. We are going to give it everything we have,

“I just feel like the difference between this one and the one we had last couple years is everybody is kinda locked up in winning the World Series. Winning four more games is the most important thing.”

Rojas played in114 games in the 2025 season for LA, batting .262 with seven homers and 27 RBI. He becomes a free agent at the end of this year and has expressed desire and request to sign a one-year contract with the Dodgers in 2026 to end his baseball career.

“I’ve been giving it everything that I have every single night for the four years that I’ve been here,” he said, referred to his first MLB season in 2014 with the Dodgers and these past three years. “Hopefully, I can finish my career here next year, because I’m going to retire after next year.”

With the Blue Wahoos, he played 58 games in 2012, batting .210 with 10 RBI. He was in the starting lineup for the Blue Wahoos historic first game on April 5, 2012, that included a low flyover by the Blue Angels across the field at Blue Wahoos Stadiu

Rojas was elevated at mid-season to the Reds’ Triple-A affiliate in Louisville, before being acquired the Dodgers before the 2013 season.

He was among 10 former Blue Wahoos players who were on six of the 12 teams in the 2025 MLB playoffs.

A look at the Blue Wahoos four World Series connections.

Infielder Miguel Rojas (Los Teques, Venezuela) – Played first half of 2012 season with Blue Wahoos. Made MLB debut on June 6, 2014 with Dodgers. Played eight seasons with Miami Marlins before rejoining Dodgers. Has career .260 batting average with 979 hits.

Catcher Ben Vortvedt (Madison, Wisc.) – Second round pick by Minnesota Twins in 2016 MLB. Elevated to Blue Wahoos in May 2019 and finished season in Pensacola. He played in 55 games with a .239 average, five homers, 19 RBI.

Pitcher Brusdar Graterol (Calabozo, Venezuela) – Made MLB debut with Minnesota Twins in 2019, after beginning the 2019 season as a starting pitcher for the Blue Wahoos and was Southern League All-Star before rising into MLB call-up. Has not pitched since Game 5 of the 2024 World Series as reliever against New York Yankees. Underwent labrum surgery before 2025. He has been with the Dodgers since 2020, so this could be his third World Series ring.

Pitcher Tommy Nance (Long Beach, California) – The reliever appeared in six combined games for the Blue Wahoos on injury rehab assignments when he was on the Miami Marlins roster in 2022 (1 appearance) and 2023 (5 appearances). He Pitched twice in divisional series vs. Yankees, giving up two runs and 5 hits. Left off ALCS and WS roster. Appeared in 30 games this season with Blue Jays and compiled 2-0 record. 31.2 innings 1.87 ERAL.