Toronto Blue Jays first round pick set to make professional debut in 2026
Photo credit: https://www.mlb.com/bluejays
Toronto Blue Jays first round pick JoJo Parker was one of the best hitters available in the 2025 Draft.
With the eighth overall pick in the 2025 draft, the Blue Jays selected the 6'2», 200 lbs shortstop out of Purvis High School in Purvis, Mississippi.
Before the draft, Parker ranked as MLB Pipeline's ninth-best prospect, around other prep shortstops like Ethan Holliday, Eli Willits, Billy Carlson, and Steele Hall.
There's a lot to like about Parker, as he's an above-average hitter with some pop in his bat. He ranks as the second-best Blue Jays prospect according to MLB.com.
The six-foot-two, 200-lb. left-handed hitter impressed Blue Jays' decision makers leading up to the draft with his advanced swing, plate discipline, contact ability and power potential.
Baseball America ranks JoJo Parker as the best hitter in the Blue Jays farm system.
Best hitter in the Blue Jays' system? 2025 No. 8 overall pick JoJo Parker 😤
Parker set to join the Florida Complex League Blue Jays in 2026
Parker decided to forgo his commitment to Mississippi State to join the Blue Jays and is now settling into professional life at the club's player development complex in Dunedin.
He says his main focus is to get bigger, stronger and faster while also improving his defensive footwork.
While scouts are sold on his bat, there is some question as to whether he'll need to move off shortstop to second or third base (or even the outfield), so it will be key to see how his defense develops in the lower Minors.
"I've never had a hitting coach, I've never had a fielding coach. So, I'm really excited to get involved with the coaches here," Parker said during a Zoom call with media. "I am excited to deal with professionals and have coaches that know what they're doing and prepare me for the coming weeks and months and years."
Accomplishing all that without professional guidance is impressive and it has the Blue Jays "anxious to see how he uses everything we have to offer to kind of keep elevating his game," said Schneider.
It's not uncommon for even newly arrived big league players to laud the state-of-the-art facilities in Dunedin.
For a young player who's never had a personal coach, the change of scenery can be a little overwhelming.
But the Blue Jays have had success onboarding their new signees through the PDC, and Parker knows there's much to gain from diving into the resources.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 30 | 106 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays first round pick set to make professional debut in 2026 How far will first round pick JoJo Park ascend in the Toronto Blue Jays farm system in 2026? | ||
| Single-A Dunedin | 7 | 6.6 % |
| High-A Vancouver | 27 | 25.5 % |
| Double-A New Hampshire | 41 | 38.7 % |
| Triple-A Buffalo | 31 | 29.2 % |
| List of polls | ||