Cubs Promote Top Shortstop Prospect
The Chicago Cubs have promoted their top shortstop prospect Jefferson Rojas to Double-A. This is quite the accomplishment for Rojas as the 20-year-old has rebounded from a down 2024 season and is now one of the youngest players at Double-A after his impressive first half with the South Bend Cubs.
The shortstop slashed .278/.379/.492, with a 137 wRC+ in 67 games at A+ Ball to begin the 2025 season. Rojas hit 11 home runs and stole 14 bases, while recording a 12.7 BB% in 299 plate appearances, leading to his promotion coming out of the All-Star break.
Rojas has 33 starts at second base, 26 at short and four at third base so far in 2025. The right-handed hitter went 1-for-4, with a double in his debut with the Knoxville Smokies Friday night.
A native of the Dominican Republic, the Cubs signed Rojas as an international free agent back in Jan. 2022. The talented infielder made it stateside by 2023, and finished the year with a 121 wRC+ playing 70 games in A-Ball with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
Last year was tough for Rojas, who only hit .245/.310/.336, with six home runs in his first year at A+ Ball. Yet, Rojas has certainly turned the corner and hit for a lot more power in his second season at South Bend.
MLB Pipeline has Rojas ranked as the No. 3 prospect in the Cubs’ minor league system and No. 61 overall in MLB. According to ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel, Rojas is ranked ahead of Owen Caissie, who is considered the top prospect for the Cubs.
There’s a lot to like about Rojas. He’s played solid defense at shortstop and although some scouts think he won’t stay there Rojas is still viewed as a positive defender at second. He’s shown good plate discipline and if Rojas can hit for more power, then he’ll continue to rise in prospect rankings by the end of 2025.
Double-A will certainly present a big challenge for Rojas. The shortstop is now playing against competition that is on average 3.8 years old than he is according to Baseball Reference.