Jun 27, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Johan Rojas (23) celebrates with teammates after scoring a run against the Atlanta Braves in the ninth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images. Brett Davis
Philadelphia Phillies' outfielder Johan Rojas is at the center of a Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) investigation into agent Yasser Mendez, who is accused of financial misconduct involving player investments in his Venezuelan baseball academy, 4Pro, according to a new report by Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic.
According to documents obtained by The Athletic, Rojas filed a grievance with the MLBPA last August alleging that Mendez persuaded him—while he was still a minor league player—to take out $875,000 in advances against his future MLB earnings in 2019 and 2022. Mendez then allegedly urged Rojas to invest more than $450,000 of that money in 4Pro International Baseball Academy, which Mendez owns, promising significant returns.
“That advice was intentionally, recklessly, or negligently wrong for Rojas,” the grievance states, according to The Athletic.
At the time of the transactions, Mendez was employed by Rep 1 Baseball, which was later acquired by Klutch Sports Group in 2023.
Screen capture of a post on X (formerly Twitter) from 2019 that has since been made private of Mendez having dinner with several of his clients, which includes current Phillies Johan Rojas and Rafael Marchan and former Phillies prospect Simon Muzziotti.Klutch, through attorney Jon R. Fetterolf, denied any knowledge of the alleged misconduct and confirmed to The Athletic that Mendez was terminated in 2024.
Chris Koras, a former executive with Rep 1 and now head of Klutch’s baseball division, was also named in the grievance but declined to comment beyond Klutch’s statement when requested by The Athletic..
Rojas, 23, has been a part of the Phillies outfield rotation this season. He also declined to comment on the matter through his attorney, Michael Strauss.
However, the grievance details troubling claims, including that Mendez misrepresented the purpose of some of the funds Rojas provided, telling him portions would be used to cover tax obligations.
According to The Athletic, the grievance alleges that Mendez underpaid Rojas’ taxes in 2020 and failed to pay them at all in 2022.
In a formal response to the grievance, Klutch and its attorneys alleged that Rojas had voluntarily participated in the investments and attempted to "extort" the agency for $7.5 million. Despite this, they acknowledged that Mendez transferred $465,123.24 to Rojas in January 2024.
Rojas is not the only player reportedly drawn into questionable financial arrangements with Mendez.
The Athletic also reported that like Rojas, New York Yankees infielder Oswald Peraza also took out advances and invested in the 4Pro academy while represented by Mendez.
It is unclear if Peraza's dealings are part of the MLBPA investigation, although The Athletic cited sources that believe his investment may have exceeded that of Rojas.
The situation highlights the vulnerabilities of Latin American minor leaguers, who are often targeted by financial schemes involving future-earnings agreements.
These contracts—popularized by firms like Big League Advance (BLA)—allow players to receive upfront payments in exchange for a percentage of their pre-tax income if they reach the majors. If they don’t, they owe nothing. However, the percentage owed—often 20% or more—can become a significant burden once players hit the big leagues, as is now the case for both Rojas and Peraza.
The MLBPA has previously warned agents about these agreements. In 2016, the union circulated a confidential memo noting that BLA’s terms could be “significant” and urged agents to “proceed with caution.”
The issue remains contentious.
San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. recently filed a lawsuit against BLA, calling their arrangement "unlawful and exploitative" after giving up 10% of his income in exchange for $2 million while still in the minors.
In February 2025, the MLBPA updated its agent regulations, prohibiting loans from players to agents and reinforcing rules against agents offering direct or indirect compensation to players.
Mendez, who has operated under several business names including the Yasser Mendez Professional Baseball Academy and the International Baseball Company, registered 4Pro in Florida in 2018 and ran it out of the 4ProCity sports complex in Valencia, Venezuela.
According to The Athletic, court documents indicate that Mendez owns 90% of the company behind the academy. Despite the investigation, Mendez and 4Pro remain listed as partners on MLB’s official Trainer Partnership Program website. Mendez still lists himself as a certified player agent.
Rojas and Peraza both cut ties with Mendez and Rep 1/Klutch in 2023.
