Cubs prospect Jefferson Rojas showcases impressive early Spring Training power, launching a massive home run and igniting optimism for his future.
Spring Training games are officially underway for the Chicago Cubs.
Although the North Siders have only played a few Spring Training games so far, it’s pretty clear who the team’s best hitter has been through the first four contests. That has been Cubs prospect Jefferson Rojas.
Rojas has appeared in all four Spring Training games for the Cubs and continues to hit the ball well. He went 1-for-2 against the White Sox on February 20, went 1-for-2 with two RBI against the Rangers on February 21, and launched a towering home run against the Royals on Monday.
The 20-year-old stepped to the plate against Royals pitcher Luinder Avila and turned on a 96 mph fastball at the top of the zone for a statcast-projected 413-foot home run. That long ball marked the first home run of the spring for the Cubs.
It is nice to see Rojas get a hold of one because the power has been a major question mark for him throughout his Minor League career. He only hit seven home runs in 2023, six home runs in 2024, and 11 home runs in 2025.
But as Rojas gets older and stronger, his power could become more evident in his game. His 11 home runs across 67 games at High-A were a career-high last season, and some of that power showed up in Monday’s Spring Training game.
There’s no doubt that Rojas is off to a strong start this spring. He is batting .375 (3-for-8) with a 1.194 OPS in his first four Spring Training games and has been hitting the ball hard. His home run against the Royals came off the bat at 107.5 mph.
Despite solid numbers to begin the spring, Rojas is not currently competing for a roster spot. At just 20 years old, he will start the season down in the Minors.
The Cubs prospect will almost certainly begin the year at Double-A Knoxville, where he struggled in the second half. The Dominican Republic native hit just .164 with six doubles, 15 RBI, and five stolen bases across 39 games for the Smokies.
His good start to the spring, though, is a nice sign for his potential. He was ranked as a top 100 prospect in Keith Law’s prospect rankings last month and could rise up other prospect rankings by the middle of the season.
Rojas is still at least one year away from making his Major League debut, with MLB Pipeline estimating a 2027 arrival. However, it's still encouraging to see the young prospect currently turning heads in camp.