Yesterday, we kicked off the first two installments of our top prospects series. Today we are back with the next level
32. Yondrei Rojas, LHP, 23 (DOB: November 22, 2002), Class of 35, 2025: NR
Rojas has been in the system for a long time, signing as a Venezuelan international free agent back in 2021. He developed primarily as a starter over his first three years, but struggled to break A-ball due to his vulnerability to hard hits. In 2024, he began working full-time in rescue work, but initially had limited success. His K rate jumped 10% to 29%, but he developed walking issues and posted a middling 4.36 ERA in his third tour at this level. However, by 2025, everything seems to be going smoothly. He struck out 36 batters in 23.2 innings in Class A+ Vancouver while regaining control of the walks (only six in that span). This led to his promotion to New Hampshire AA. His strikeout rate has declined at the higher levels, back to 22%, but he still produces a solid 12.5% ​​swing rate.
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His raw material is good, with a fastball that’s in the mid-90s and touches 98, a slider that projects as a plus, and a cutter and changeup that are available extra options if not above-average weapons. For a small guy without typical pitching stature, he’s a sneakily good athlete who throws loosely enough to allow his command to get some consistent shots. He’s a solid reliever in the middle with a pretty deep arsenal to make up for the lack of clear upside, and has already had success in the minors and mid-majors, meaning he could soon step into the deep mix of a major league bullpen.
31. Sam Shaw, 2B/OF, 21 (DOB: 2/26/2005), Class of 35, 2025: NR
The 2023 ninth-round pick hails from Victoria, British Columbia. He was solid in the complex after signing, but struggled with power output during his first full pro season in 2024. He advanced to A ball last season and performed well, posting a .253/.383/.418 line, 29% better than the Florida State League average. That got him a cup of coffee in Vancouver at the end of the season. His 28 PA was underwhelming at a higher level, but the sample size was too small to have much of an impact on a strong season.
Shaw’s business card is his popular tool. He was an impressive selective hitter, though he fell into a passive position at times, with his excellent 16% walk rate offset by an exorbitant 19% so-called hit rate. When he swings, his 83% contact rate is well above average. Raw power won’t be a big part of his game, as his exit velocity topped out at 107 mph this year, and there’s no obvious room for more muscle on his 5-foot-10 frame. That said, his swing is geared toward pulling fly balls into contact, and because he’s such a strong hitter, he’s still able to achieve a 43 percent slugging rate despite his limited power. Despite his physical limitations, if his skills are adequate, he could be a 15-homer type hitter with fast pitches not conducive to better pitches.
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His bat will have to support him because Shaw is a fragile second back with an especially weak arm. He also spent time in the outfield, where he ran routes well, but his below-average speed may have limited him as a regular in left field. His ceiling might be a bit like that of the more contact-oriented Davis Schneider. It’s a difficult skill to develop, but we’ve seen it happen, and the Jayhawks seem to think they know how to develop it.
30. Connor Cooke, RHP, 26 (DOB: February 11, 1999), Grade 35, 2025: 20th
Cook is a 2021 10th-round pick out of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He pitched sparingly his first two seasons as a Ragin’ Cajun before moving into the rotation and breaking out as a junior, striking out 90 in 79 innings and posting a 2.82 ERA. The Blue Jays briefly tried him in the rotation again in 2022, but quickly sent him back to the bullpen. He quickly became dominant, striking out three in 44.1 innings during the 2023 season on his way to AAA. Unfortunately, things went awry the following year as his pitches receded significantly and he gave up the plate, posting a 30:28 K:BB ratio in 31.2 innings. Ultimately, it turned out to be a product of elbow issues, and he underwent Tommy John surgery last January.
Cook’s decline in the rankings this season is mainly due to being a little deeper than before. We haven’t really gotten any new information since last year, but he should be close to returning to action at this point. If he returns to his 2023 self, he looks like a potential playmaker. His drop ball and breaking pitch allow his fastball to create a plane at the plate, making it a solid addition. His second weapon is a low-to-mid-80s slider with tremendous horizontal sweep, and he also has a shifter that flashes above average. Prior to his injury, his command was near average.
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29. Edward Duran, 21 (DOB: May 29, 2004), Class of 35, 2025: NR
After Anthony Buss returned from the trade, Duran spent three years slowly climbing the ranks of the Jays’ system, reaching A+ in 2025. He’s a solid contact hitter with an above-average contact rate and shows a good feel for the strike zone. His raw power is well below average and expected to be more in the future, and about half of his pitches in the game are on the ground, so his power output will likely always be minimal. If all goes well, he could produce a respectable OBP, allowing him to continue to be productive as a backup catcher.
The good news is that his glove is more than adequate for the role. He’s a good receiver with good blocking skills, and while he needs to improve his accuracy a bit, he has a good arm that allows him to control the run game.
This is a simple configuration file. Duran doesn’t have the usual MLB upside as he doesn’t have enough impact on the ball, but he also looks unlikely to be an offensive black hole due to his ability to get on base, which would make him a quality backup. It’s not a sexy image, but it’s the kind of skill set that always translates into a 10-year major league career
