Betts: Blue Jays select "passionate" Parker at No. 8 in MLB draft

The Toronto Blue Jays selected infielder JoJo Parker with their first-round pick in the MLB draft on Sunday. Photo: Toronto Blue Jays

July 13, 2025

By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

The last time the Toronto Blue Jays selected in the top 10 picks in the Major League Baseball draft, they took shortstop Austin Martin fifth overall out of Vanderbilt in 2020.

Five drafts later and with the No. 8 pick in hand, they went with a shortstop once again in high schooler JoJo Parker from Purvis High School in Mississippi.

Originally ranked as the No. 9 prospect heading into the draft by MLB Pipeline, he jumped one spot in what was a bit of a surprising first round that saw shortstop Eli Willits go No. 1 to Washington and right-hander Tyler Bremner, who’s parents are from Mississauga and Queensville, Ont., taken No. 2 by the Los Angeles Angels.

Despite the unpredictable start to the night, the Blue Jays remained focused on the prep high school player, amateur scouting director Marc Tramuta, said.

It’s safe to say the organization did their homework on Parker, too, as a total of 14 different scouts saw him play in the lead up to his selection.

Tramuta describes him as a quiet, intent worker with an advanced swing that will continue to grow into his power.

“One of the things was the consistency of his contact,” Tramuta said.

“A lot of the first round high school bats I had taken in the past when I was with the (New York) Mets, I characterize them as somewhat fully formed. I definitely put JoJo in that bucket where I think he’s predisposed to having good plate discipline. That’s a characteristic we value as an organization.”

Clearly impressed with Parker’s on field tools, the Blue Jays brass took note of the person he is off the field and his work ethic, Tramuta said.

“This is a really really good kid,” he said.

“He has a twin brother and they’re all about baseball. They’re very routine oriented and all they do is hit and work on defence. That’s their life. They’re very passionate about what they do.”

The minds at MLB Pipeline are also big on the Mississippi State commit.

“Parker has a chance to be a plus-hitter with 20 to 25 homers per season,” their pre-draft report reads.

“He has a sound left-handed swing, manages the strike zone well and employs a gap-to-gap approach. He shows some feel for driving balls in the air and is posting more impressive exit velocities as he continues to gain muscle.”

Parker also possesses versatility with an ability to shift to second or third base should the need to move him arise.

As for what’s next, first he needs to sign with the team. Slot value for the eighth overall pick is pegged at $6.81 million.

Assuming he does, Tramuta is confident Parker is the type of player that can make an impact in the minor leagues as an 18-year-old.

“One of the questions we ask when we’re talking about high school hitters like JoJo is can they play in Dunedin in Low-A their first full season?” Tramuta said.

“We definitely think that this is one of those players.”

***

Baseball America Scouting Report — JoJo Parker

School: Purvis (Miss.) HS 

Drafted/Committed: Mississippi State

Age At Draft: 18.9

BA Grade: 60/Extreme

Parker, whose given name is Joseph but goes by Jojo, has steadily climbed draft boards by hitting, hitting and then hitting some more. He’s a strong athlete with a powerful 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame. He has a picturesque lefthanded swing and a nose for the barrel. Parker has a case as one of the best pure hitters in the class, with real power to go with his polished hit tool. He starts with a narrow and open lower half, with the bat resting on his shoulder before taking a standard stride with a simple and quiet hand load to get the barrel into a good hitting position. The swing itself comes with solid bat speed and strength, and Parker does a nice job getting the barrel into different hitting zones depending on how he’s pitched. He has an eye for the zone, will take pitches when he needs to and is a proven hitter against both velocity and spin. He’s got all the ingredients to be an above-average hitter with above-average power. Parker is typically an average runner, but he has turned in some plus run times in workout settings in 2025. A shortstop now, he might slide off the position because he lacks typical quickness and actions. He does have an advanced internal clock, above-average arm strength and the work ethic to earn a chance to prove himself at the position. He could fit at third base, second base or an outfield corner. Parker is committed to Mississippi State but is expected to be a first-round pick. His twin brother Jacob is his Purvis High teammate and also a talented 2025 prospect.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run:50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55.