Jefferson Rojas is a 21-year-old Dominican shortstop who could be one of the more interesting names to watch in the New York Mets system. Born in Puerto Plata in 2005, the right-handed hitter has gone from a forgettable 2025 to one of the more eye-catching stat lines in the minors — including a 1.037 OPS in six Triple-A games to close out 2026.
Background
Rojas grew up in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and came up through local baseball before signing with the Mets. He’s been working his way through New York’s minor league ladder ever since, sharpening both his swing and his defense at short. He fits squarely in the long line of elite Caribbean shortstops the DR has produced — and he’s got his sights set on the big leagues.
Professional Career
2025 was a tough year. In 39 games with the Knoxville Smokies, Rojas hit just .164 with a .484 OPS — numbers that forced him to rethink his approach at the plate entirely.
The turnaround in 2026 was real. Back with Knoxville, he slashed .270/.800 OPS with 15 home runs over 91 games. That earned him a promotion to Double-A Binghamton, where he kept the momentum going: .280 AVG, 9 home runs, .929 OPS in 29 games.
His best stretch came at the top. In six games with the Triple-A Syracuse Mets, Rojas posted a .308 average, 3 home runs and a 1.037 OPS — the kind of numbers that put scouts on notice heading into the offseason.
Winter Ball
Rojas spent the 2026-27 winter with the Gigantes del Cibao in the Dominican Professional Baseball League (LIDOM). In seven games, he hit .250 with 2 home runs, 4 RBI and an .891 OPS — solid production against experienced professional competition.
Playing winter ball at his age matters. Facing seasoned pitching in front of a demanding home crowd gives him reps that no instructional league can replicate. The fact that the Gigantes kept him in the lineup regularly signals confidence in where his development is headed.
Career Stats at a Glance
- 2025 – Knoxville (Single-A): 39 G | .164 AVG | .484 OPS
- 2026 – Knoxville: 91 G | .270 AVG | 15 HR | .800 OPS
- 2026 – Binghamton (Double-A): 29 G | .280 AVG | 9 HR | .929 OPS
- 2026 – Syracuse (Triple-A): 6 G | .308 AVG | 3 HR | 1.037 OPS
- 2026-27 LIDOM – Gigantes del Cibao: 7 G | .250 AVG | 2 HR | 4 RBI | .891 OPS
Quick Profile
- Full name: Jefferson Rojas
- Position: Shortstop
- Organization: New York Mets
- Winter team: Gigantes del Cibao (LIDOM)
- Jersey: #10
- Bats/Throws: Right/Right
- Height/Weight: 5’11» / 150 lbs
- Born: April 25, 2005 — Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic 🇩🇴
The bounce-back from a .164 average to a 1.037 OPS at Triple-A in the same calendar year is the kind of story that doesn’t happen by accident. Rojas has the resilience and the bat to make 2026 look like a beginning, not a fluke.
