Jefferson Rojas
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| Photo: Bleed Cubbie Blue |
Bio:
Age: 19
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 150 lbs.
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Hometown: Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Draft Profile: Signed as International Free Agent in January 15th, 2022
Drafted Out of: N/A
Career Stat Line: .266 AVG .338 OBP 14 HR 96 RBI 49 SB 0.929 Fielding %
We couldn't make it all the way through 2024 and not put one Spotlight on a future Cubbie. Jefferson Rojas was a player that caught our attention, a 19-year-old infielder who's been rising the minor league ranks at a steady pace.
Rojas grew up in the Dominican Republic, idolizing Chicago's Javier Baez from a young age. His attitude, style, moxie-- the star shortstop's entire presence on the field captivated the kid from Puerto Plata, and he set out to replicate it.
“That’s my guy,” Jefferson Rojas had once said through an interpreter. “That’s who I want to play with. That’s the guy I want to emulate.”
Receiving a $1 million dollar signing bonus in January of 2022 was a good start, for those same Cubs where Baez rose to stardom! The organization assigned him to their Dominican Complex for his first full season, where Rojas worked with Tom Beyers and Dave Keller on his craft. The two coaches had had success working with other Latin American pros in the past-- such as Baez, Jorge Soler, Wilson Contreras and Manny Ramirez, among many others-- and quickly gained rapport with Rojas.
The on-field results at the DSL were impressive for the 17-year-old, posting .303/.391/407 splits in 45 games at the Complex. He'd carry that over to a strong Spring Training in 2023, forcing Chicago to assign him to Low-A Myrtle Beach.
While with the Pelicans, Jefferson did experience a few growing pains. The top ten Cubs' prospect began to show a positive development in his power, cranking out 7 home runs, but his batting average dipped down to .268 while recording 13 errors between shortstop and second base. Nevertheless, the kid could barely buy a scratch off and was more than holding his own against dudes three years older than him. It was a season to proudly build on.
This year, Rojas has been getting his action in for the High-A South Bend Cubs, where it's been much of the same at the plate as well as in the field. He's currently rocking a .254/6/46 line and has improved his work at shortstop against the heightened competition.
Many thought Jefferson would be a little further along with his development at this point, but the transition from international play to the minors is a difficult one. Rojas has held his own at each level so far, something we expect him to do as he continues to ascend. Once a few more things click for the Dominican, it's going to be full speed ahead to Wrigley.
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@Choppinglines
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