Silverado’s Rojas headed to CCSN

Thursday, June 22, 2000 | 10:25 a.m.

Silverado High School catcher Tommy Rojas, a member of the Sun's 2000 All-State first team, has signed to play with the Community College of Southern Nevada. Rojas originally signed with California's Pepperdine University, but did not have the standardized test score to qualify academically.

The 6-1, 195-pound Rojas batted .438 for the 4A state champion Skyhawks this spring. He hit three home runs, contributed 42 RBIs and scored 24 runs.

Rojas, who was drafted by the Yankees in the 30th round of this year's Major League Baseball amateur draft, joins Chaparral graduate John Caruso behind the plate for the Coyotes. Caruso also was selected in the draft, going to Kansas City in round No. 38. CCSN lost both catchers from its 2000 season roster.

"We went after Tommy and John, those were the two kids we wanted," CCSN coach Tim Chambers said. "To have two drafted catchers coming in is an upgrade for our program."

The Coyotes also received a commitment from Durango graduate Brent Johnson, another member of the Sun's All-State first team. Johnson will pitch and play in the outfield.

The 6-0, 190-pound Nielsen hit .466 with two home runs and 33 RBIs for the state champions this spring.