Scouting Report

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

The Parker twins are the best high school position prospects in Mississippi. Outfielder Jacob has more raw pop, but infielder JoJo offers a more enticing package with superior hitting ability and athleticism and has played his way into the top 10 picks with a strong senior season that earned him Gatorade state player of the year accolades. Multiple scouts have compared him to a more powerful version of Carter Johnson, an Alabama prep shortstop who signed with the Marlins for a well-over-slot $2.8 million as a second-rounder last July.

Parker has a chance to be a plus hitter with 20-25 homers per season. He has a sound left-handed swing, manages the strike zone well and employs a gap-to-gap approach. He shows some feel for driving balls in the air and is posting more impressive exit velocities as he continues to gain muscle.

While Parker will get the chance to play shortstop at the next level and his solid arm strength, his actions and quickness are just average. That likely will dictate a move to second or third base in the future, though he should provide enough offense to profile at either position. The twins are committed to playing together at Mississippi State if they don't turn pro.

Video scouting report »

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

Parker twins JoJo and Jacob gave Mississippi a major prep storyline headed into the 2025 Draft, and JoJo -- the Gatorade player of the year for the state -- was the one who took a step forward thanks to his overall hitting ability and athleticism. The Blue Jays selected the Mississippi State recruit with the eighth overall pick and signed him for slightly under slot at $6,197,500 while his brother headed to the Bulldogs after going to the D-backs in the 19th round. Parker didn’t get in an official game after signing, making the 2026 season his official pro debut.

Parker has a powerful left-handed swing, but he’s able to keep his hacks in control, impressing pre-Draft evaluators with the way he manages the strike zone. There was already a feel to add loft in his swing, though he tended more toward line drives, and with work from Blue Jays strength training, he could get to plus power in the future. Toronto officials already see adding muscle as a major opportunity to grow Parker’s profile.

Entering his age-19 season, Parker will also need to develop the defensive side of his game alongside pro instruction. He’s just an average runner in his 6-foot-2 frame with the range to match, and his actions don’t scream that he’ll stick at the six forever. A move to third base could come down the line, considering his above-average arm strength would be a fit. But the Jays intend to give him plenty of opportunities at the more premium position, knowing his bat will likely be his greatest strength anyways.

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

The Parker twins were the best high school position prospects in Mississippi this year. Outfielder Jacob showed more raw pop, but infielder JoJo offered a more enticing package with superior hitting ability and athleticism. He played his way into the top 10 picks with a strong senior season that earned him Gatorade state Player of the Year accolades. Parker went eighth overall to the Blue Jays in this year’s Draft and signed for a little under slot at $6,197,500.

Parker has a chance to be a plus hitter with 20-25 homers per season. He has a sound left-handed swing, manages the strike zone well and employs a gap-to-gap approach. He shows some feel for driving balls in the air and is posting more impressive exit velocities as he continues to gain muscle.

While Parker will get the chance to play shortstop at the next level with his solid arm strength, his actions and quickness are just average. That likely will dictate a move to second or third base in the future, though he should provide enough offense to profile at either position. He joins a Toronto system with fellow first-rounder Arjun Nimmala working to be the shortstop of the future, giving the Jays enviable high-quality depth at a premium position.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	08/04/2025	SS JoJo Parker assigned to FCL Blue Jays.
	07/18/2025	Toronto Blue Jays signed SS JoJo Parker.
	05/26/2025	College Workout activated SS JoJo Parker.
	09/10/2024	SS Joseph Parker assigned to High School Workout.
	08/16/2024	SS Joseph Parker assigned to High School Workout.
	06/30/2024	High School Workout activated SS Joseph Parker.