Taking Wing: Jojo Parker
Sep 13, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays first round draft pick JoJo Parker takes batting practice before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images | Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images I try to highlight a mix of deeper sleepers and better known prospects in this column. To kick off the 2026 run, though, it was last year’s top pick who made an immediate case to be profiled.
Jojo Parker was the eighth overall selection, and widely regarded as the most well rounded high school hitter available. He earned praise for his mature approach, feel for contact, and potential for above average power, and so far he’s fulfilling all of those promises. The foundation of Parker’s game is an advanced feel for the zone.
His overall swing rate of 38. 2% is extremely low, equivalent to about the 7th percentile among major leaguers, which suggests that part of what’s going on is that he’s just opting not to swing very much against wild A ball pitchers. It’s not uncommon for advanced hitters to rack up huge walk totals at the lower levels just by being passive, but in Parker’s case there appears to be a real plan underlying the patience.
By StatCast’s reckoning, he’s chased just 20. 3% of pitches he’s seen outside the strike zone, while going after 54% of strikes and 65% of pitches down the middle. It’s definitely an extremely selective approach, but it’s not just passivity.
Still, how his discipline fares against higher level pitchers who can actually reliably hit their spots will be an important test. Parker’s also showing the pure hitting ability that was key to his pre-draft prospect stock. His pure contact rates, 77% overall and 83% inside the strike zone, are roughly average overall but are solid for a 19 year old facing pro competition for the first time.
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