Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55

Though they signed him for $1 million, just the third-highest bonus in their 2022 international class, the Cubs viewed Rojas as one of the more advanced hitters on that market. He made his U.S. debut last summer, spending only one game in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League in June before heading to Single-A at age 18. One of just three regulars that young in the Carolina League, he more than held his own by slashing .268/.345/.404.

Rojas has a controlled right-handed swing and precocious pitch-recognition skills that enable him to make contact with ease. He has more bat speed than most teenagers and already shows some aptitude for pulling and launching balls, so he should develop average or better power once he matures physically. Besides adding strength, his biggest need is to be more selective about which pitches he puts in play.

Though he flashes solid speed, Rojas is more of an average runner with good instincts on the bases. If he loses any quickness, he may have to move off shortstop, though Chicago believes he'll be able to stay there. He has a strong arm and makes accurate throws from any angle needed, and he pushed $3 million bonus baby Cristian Hernandez to second base when he arrived in Myrtle Beach last summer.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

The Cubs viewed Rojas as one of the more advanced hitters in the 2022 international class and signed him out of the Dominican Republic for $1 million, the third-highest bonus in their crop. After a strong debut in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League, he needed just one game in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League this June before earning a promotion to Low-A at age 18. Since his arrival in Myrtle Beach, he has been the primary starter at shortstop despite the presence of $3 million bonus baby Cristian Hernandez. 

Rojas has held his own against much older pitching, making contact with ease thanks to a controlled right-handed swing. He almost puts the bat on the ball too easily and will be more effective at the plate once he learns to which pitches he should avoid putting in play. Though he still needs to add significant strength, he already shows some feel for launching balls in the air to his pull side.  

Rojas will flash solid speed on occasion but is more of an average runner and may lose a half-step once he's filled out. He has a strong arm and can make accurate throws from a variety of angles. Chicago is confident that he'll be an asset at shortstop as he gains more defensive consistency, though some scouts think he may wind up at second or third base. 

Awards

DSL Mid-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2022

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	04/04/2024	SS Jefferson Rojas assigned to South Bend Cubs from Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
	03/07/2024	Chicago Cubs Prospects activated SS Jefferson Rojas.
	02/23/2024	SS Jefferson Rojas assigned to Chicago Cubs.
	06/06/2023	SS Jefferson Rojas assigned to Myrtle Beach Pelicans from ACL Cubs.
	06/05/2023	SS Jefferson Rojas assigned to ACL Cubs.
	07/23/2022	SS Jefferson Rojas and assigned to DSL NL All-Stars.
	07/23/2022	SS Jefferson Rojas assigned to DSL NL All-Stars.
	06/04/2022	SS Jefferson Rojas assigned to DSL Cubs Blue.
	01/15/2022	Chicago Cubs signed free agent SS Jefferson Rojas to a minor league contract.