Jefferson Rojas' Spring Training Breakout Enables Hope For Future of Cubs' Middle Infield

[Joe Sbertoli]

Image courtesy of © Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images

Spring training is used as a ramp-up period to knock off the rust for big league players before the regular season gets underway, but for prospects, it's a chance to demonstrate their value first hand to their future managers and coaches. It's also just exciting for fans to get a sneak peak of players that can help the team down the road. One of the Chicago Cubs' younger prospects with loads of potential is showing that he may need consideration to join the big-league roster sooner than expected. Jefferson Rojas is having an incredible start to spring training this year. 

Rojas is a 20-year-old middle infield prospect (SS/2B) that is taking full advantage of his opportunities to play this spring. He is batting .259/310/.593 (118 wRC+) with two home runs and six RBIs in 12 games, and those stats are a bit muted following a couple of less impactful appearances. One of his home runs traveled a staggering 438 feet, demonstrating a level of power that is a pleasant surprise. Rojas has been widely considered as an above-average defensive shortstop prospect that could handle second base duties as well. His play this March is reinforcing that notion, but it's his evolution at the plate that really stands out.

The Cubs currently have nine infielders listed on their 40-man roster and Rojas is not one of them. Dansby Swanson (SS) and Nico Hoerner (2B) are positioned to be the starting middle infielders when the regular season gets going later this month, with the talented Matt Shaw pushing for playing time whenever possible after the Cubs signed Alex Bregman this offseason to be their everyday third baseman. Ben Cowles (3B), Pedro Ramirez (3B/2B), and James Triantos (2B/OF) are also listed on the 40-man roster along with first basemen Michael Busch and Tyler Austin. 

Rojas is younger than all of the players listed above and will likely need more time to develop in the minors, but the results from this small sample in spring training are very encouraging. Having too many talented infielders is a great problem to have for any organization. The Cubs boast the luxury of not needing to rush players through their minor-league levels because their major-league roster is filled with veteran players that are ready to compete for a deep playoff run this year. Sustained success requires other players waiting in the wings for their number to be called, that can step in and carry the torch when needed. Rojas honing his craft in the minors for the time being is great for the health of the roster down the road, especially with Hoerner facing the prospect of free agency next offseason.   

Rojas has risen up the Cubs’ prospect rankings and his breakout performances of late are supporting those evaluations. As a bit of a spoiler alert, he'll appear soon in the top five of North Side Baseball's top-20 Cubs prospects rundown. In the meantime, he is a player to track throughout the remaining spring training games and into the new season. If he continues to perform like he has up until this point, he will become a household name among Cubs fans for good reason.

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