Miguel Rojas did not remain retired for very long.
Less than two weeks after playing his final game, Rojas was already back in a dugout Monday with Dodgers prospects competing in the Arizona Fall League.
Bruce Kuntz spotted Rojas with the Glendale Desert Dogs on October 26. Rojas also shared an image from the Dodgers’ Camelback Ranch facility on his Instagram story.
His presence does not make him an officially announced coach, and the Dodgers have not assigned him a formal title.
But it offers the first glimpse of what his next chapter could become.
Rojas has openly discussed his desire to manage in the future. If that remains his ultimate goal, working around the organization’s young players is exactly where that journey should begin.
Could the Dodgers be developing him as a potential successor to Dave Roberts?
It is far too early to declare that plan established. However, the possibility is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Rojas Immediately Returned To The Dugout
Rojas announced his retirement following the Dodgers’ elimination from the National League Championship Series on October 15.
He confirmed that the loss to Milwaukee marked the final time he would wear his uniform and cleats as a player.
Rojas also made it clear that his relationship with the Dodgers was not ending.
When Rojas signed his final one-year contract, he and the organization had already discussed a transition into player development after his retirement. His exact position had not been finalized when he played his final game.
“I wanna wear this uniform or this logo in a different capacity,” Rojas said after retiring.
His appearance in Glendale suggests that transition may already be underway, even if the Dodgers have not formally defined it.
The Desert Dogs’ roster includes several Dodgers prospects, including Charles Davalan, Chase Harlan, Anson Aroz, Marlon Nieves, Brooks Auger, Luke Fox, Sam Horn and Cody Morse.
Davalan has been receiving work at second base after playing primarily in the outfield during the regular season. Because Rojas helped Mookie Betts with his transition to the middle infield, it would be natural to wonder whether he could assist Davalan.
There is no confirmation that Rojas has been specifically assigned to coach him, however.
What is confirmed is more important: Rojas is already spending time around the Dodgers’ developing players.
Player Development Is A Logical First Step
Rojas built his reputation on far more than defensive ability.
He became one of the Dodgers’ most respected clubhouse leaders after returning to Los Angeles in 2023. He helped teammates with positioning and preparation, held players accountable and frequently acted as a bridge between the clubhouse and Dave.
Mookie credited Rojas with helping him learn shortstop and described him as someone who constantly watched, taught and made sure his teammates were prepared.
That is already a form of coaching.
The difference now is that Rojas can concentrate entirely on teaching without also preparing himself to play.
Working in player development would allow him to learn how to communicate with prospects at different stages of their careers. He could gain experience evaluating players, translating organizational instruction and helping young infielders improve their preparation.
Those responsibilities would provide a foundation for almost any future baseball role—whether that eventually becomes coaching, minor-league leadership, front-office work or managing.
Rojas Has Made His Managerial Ambition Known
The idea of Rojas eventually managing did not originate with his appearance in Arizona.
He has previously expressed interest in becoming a coach and eventually running a major-league clubhouse.
Dave has also spoken positively about that possibility.
Earlier this year, Dave praised Rojas’ baseball knowledge, experience and passion for the game. He suggested that Rojas possesses many of the qualities organizations look for in a future skipper.
That endorsement matters.
Rojas has also spent the past several years studying Dave’s decisions and asking questions about how he handles games, communicates with coaches and manages a clubhouse filled with stars.
He was not simply preparing for the next ground ball.
He was learning how the entire operation worked.
This Does Not Make Rojas The Successor Yet
The Dodgers have not named Rojas as their future skipper.
They have not suggested that Dave’s departure is approaching, either.
Dave signed a four-year extension that runs through the 2029 season. He has led Los Angeles to sustained regular-season success, multiple pennants and three World Series championships.
There is no current vacancy and no announced succession process.
Rojas must also build experience after spending his entire professional career as a player. Understanding the game and commanding respect are important qualifications, but managing requires additional skills that can only be developed through experience.
Rojas may eventually coach in the minors. He could work as an instructor across multiple levels or join a major-league staff. The Dodgers could also determine that his greatest value lies in player development or the front office.
His path has not been decided.
That is why calling him the Dodgers’ manager-in-waiting would go too far.
Calling him a legitimate future candidate is much more reasonable.
The Dodgers Can Develop Rojas Alongside Their Prospects
The Dodgers do not need to decide today whether Rojas will eventually succeed Dave.
They can begin preparing him for greater responsibility while determining where he provides the most value.
The Arizona Fall League is an ideal place to start.
Rojas can work around younger players without immediately facing the pressure attached to a major-league coaching position. He can begin translating the leadership qualities that made him valuable inside the Dodgers’ clubhouse into a structured development role.
The organization can evaluate him in the same way it evaluates its prospects.
How does he teach?
How does he communicate with players who are struggling?
Can he explain the game clearly?
Can he build trust while still demanding accountability?
Those answers will determine whether Rojas’ long-term future leads toward a major-league dugout.
Our Take
Rojas possesses several qualities that would make him an intriguing future option for the Dodgers.
He understands the organization. He speaks English and Spanish. He has played for rebuilding teams and championship contenders. He earned the respect of superstars while remaining willing to challenge teammates when the Dodgers were not playing to their standard.
Most importantly, leadership was not something Rojas suddenly discovered after retirement.
He was already functioning as an additional coach during his playing career.
His presence in Glendale does not confirm that the Dodgers are grooming him to replace Dave. It does show that the organization wasted no time placing him around its next generation of players.
If Rojas succeeds in player development, continues learning the organizational side of baseball and eventually adds formal coaching experience, he could become a natural internal candidate whenever Dave decides his time is over.
That decision may still be years away.
Rojas’ preparation for it may have already begun.
Miguel Rojas has not been named the Dodgers’ future skipper, but his immediate move into player development provides a credible first step toward one day becoming a candidate to succeed Dave Roberts.