Jefferson Rojas didn’t need long to announce himself at Triple-A Syracuse.
The 21-year-old infielder, who started the 2026 season at Double-A before climbing quickly through the Mets’ system, has wasted no time turning heads after making his Syracuse debut earlier this week. In his first three games, Rojas has already launched three home runs, including a 364-foot shot on Thursday night that came off the bat at 102.3 mph.
He also picked up his first Triple-A double in that game against the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. Through that tiny but eye-catching sample, the Dominican Republic native has piled up a .636 batting average, three homers, seven RBI, and a 2.188 OPS.
Rojas’ surge is exactly the kind of development the Mets wanted to see after President of Baseball Operations David Stearns loaded up on prospects at the trade deadline. The biggest name in that return was Rojas, whom New York acquired in the Clay Holmes and Tyrone Taylor trade.
And the numbers behind his season help explain why he’s such a prized piece. According to Mike Mayer of Metsmerized, Rojas is one of just nine minor leaguers this year with at least 25 doubles, 25 home runs and 20 stolen bases. Between the Cubs and Mets organizations, he has posted 28 doubles, 27 homers and 20 stolen bases.
FanGraphs lists him with a 16.1% strikeout rate and a .238 ISO, a number that speaks to real extra-base pop. That power output isn’t on the same level as St. Louis Cardinals prospect Joshua Baez, who owns a .317 ISO and still leads Triple-A in home runs with 34 despite being called up to the majors on August 15, but it’s still a strong mark.
Rojas also entered the Mets system with serious industry recognition. He was the Cubs’ No. 2 overall prospect and the 63rd-best prospect in baseball when he was traded, and once he officially joined New York’s farm system, he became the organization’s top prospect.
The Mets have already shown this season that they’re willing to move quickly with young talent, calling up prospects like Carson Benge, who broke spring training with the club, and A.J. Ewing despite limited time in Triple-A. With the starting outfield set for the foreseeable future alongside Juan Soto, the bigger question now sits in the infield, where Marcus Semien hasn’t locked things down.
For now, Rojas is making the case that he could be part of that answer. And with the Triple-A season ending this week, his 2026 run has given the Mets plenty to think about heading into 2027.
In Other News...
Mets Loss Took A Back Seat To A Frightening Jared Young Scare
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Even in a frustrating night offensively, the bigger concern was clearly Youngs condition and what the collision could mean for the team moving forward. The game itself unfolded inning by inning, but the most important news from this one had nothing to do with the final score and everything to do with a player being checked on after a scary on-field incident. [Read more 🡒]
Nolan McLean Is Making The Mets Rookie Race Feel One-Sided
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The broader rookie field still includes names like Carson Benge and AJ Ewing, but McLeans case keeps getting stronger with every outing. He is also in position to become the first rookie pitcher since 2014 to reach 20 quality starts in a season, a mark that would add another layer to what has already become an impressive debut and leave the Mets wondering just how high the ceiling goes from here. [Read more 🡒]
Mets Fans Want Proof Stearns Will Commit To Homegrown Talent
David Stearns is already feeling the heat from Mets fans after Pete Alonsos departure to Baltimore, and the frustration goes beyond one painful exit. The bigger concern is whether the president of baseball operations actually intends to build around homegrown talent, or whether the organization will keep letting its best young players become someone elses long-term answer.
Carson Benge has become the name that could help change that perception. The rookie outfielder has shown enough to make a long-term extension a believable next step, especially with recent deals for other young outfielders around the league offering a useful template. For a fan base looking for proof of commitment, a move like that would say far more than any public promise ever could. [Read more 🡒]