The 2025 MLB Draft begins with rounds 1-3 beginning at 6:00 pm Eastern time in Atlanta this evening. Rounds 4-20 will take place at 11:30 am Eastern time on Monday. You can follow the draft on MLB.com, MLB Network and ESPN.
The Toronto Blue Jays have the eighth pick this year but they do not have their second-round pick after signing outfielder Anthony Santander as a free agent. Their next pick will be in the third round at 81. The Blue Jays have a bonus pool of $10,314,600.
Baseball America believes the Blue Jays will select shortstop JoJo Parker from Purvis High School in Mississippi. Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo from MLB.com both predict the Jays will draft lefthander Jamie Arnold from Florida State. Kiley McDaniel from ESPN.com thinks Toronto will take shortstop Aiva Arquette from Oregon State.
Image from Mississippi Scoreboard.
Round 1 - 8th overall. SS JoJo Parker, Purvis HS (Mississippi). Bats Left, Throws Right. 6-foot-2, 200 pounds. Born August 8, 2006. Slot Value $6,813,600.
MLB.com Scouting Report - The Parker twins are the best high school position prospects in Mississippi. Outfielder Jacob has more raw pop, but infielder JoJo offers a more enticing package with superior hitting ability and athleticism and has played his way into the first round with a strong senior season. Multiple scouts have compared him to a more powerful version of Carter Johnson, an Alabama prep shortstop who signed with the Marlins for a well-over-slot $2.8 million as a second-rounder last July. Parker has a chance to be a plus hitter with average power. 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. While Parker will get the chance to play shortstop at the next level and his solid arm strength, his actions and quickness are just average. That likely will dictate a move to second or third base in the future, though he should provide enough offense to profile at either position. The twins are committed to playing together at Mississippi State if they don't turn pro. Video
Baseball America
Reaction: Parker has been one of the biggest high school helium players of the last year. That’s because of the belief many scouts have in his hitting ability with a sweet, adjustable lefthanded swing and impressive barrel accuracy with an all-fields approach and good strike-zone judgment. There are questions about where he ends up defensively, but the Blue Jays are betting on one of the most advanced high school hitters in the nation.
Scouting Report: 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. Video
Batter’s Box Instant Analysis - It’s the second year in a row the Jays have drafted a Parker, selecting catcher Aaron Parker in the 6th round out of UC-Santa Barbara. Also, the Jays drafted righthander Parker Caracci from MIssissippi State in 2018 (37th round) and 2019 (21st round). Hall of Famer Dave Parker played for the Jays in 1991.
Twitter Reaction
Zach Worden - The #BlueJays pick JoJo Parker at No. 8, landing the prep SS after a bit of a chaotic start to the draft. Potential is there to be an impact bat from the left side. Will be fun to follow his development in the years ahead.
Adam Heisler - One of my favorite high school bats in the draft JoJo Parker @Parker2Jojo Elite bat to ball skills. A hitter, that hits for power. Reminds me of a smaller (6”1 vs 6”3) Gunnar Henderson. Future all star. #MLBDraft25
Damon - Still recovering from Joe Doyle sending me on an emotional Rollercoaster but JoJo Parker is a phenomenal pick in his own right. Has an argument for best overall hit tool in the entire draft class. Chris Clegg has him as the best prep bat in this draft.
Ben Nicholson-Smith - Rival scout likes lefty hitting SS Jojo Parker, taken 8th overall by Blue Jays. Describes Parker as an ideal two hole hitter who likely ends up at 3B. Hit/power combo with advanced bat to ball, strong arm, fringy speed. Seen as a high character person as well.
@bnicholsonsmith Jojo Parker, the Blue Jays' first-round pick, has a twin brother named Jacob, who's also a well-regarded prospect (OF with power). Their father is a lawyer & judge who was paralyzed after sustaining a football injury in high school. Remarkable story.
Peter Flaherty III - With the 8th overall pick, the Toronto Blue Jays have selected SS JoJo Parker. Strong, athletic frame. Enticing hit-power combination. Present bat speed, gets barrel to all parts of the zone. 55s for both hit/power. AA arm, could slide off SS.
Andrew Abadie - Jojo Parker, the No. 8 overall pick in the MLB Draft, tells me that he plans to sign with the @BlueJays.
Blue Jays Avenue Podcast - The #BlueJays select with the 8th pick Jojo Parker out of Purvis HS (MS) Great pick, massive upside with his bat from the left side, probably moves off SS as he progresses through the system but a high upside INF which this organization loves! #LightsUpLetsGo
Blue Jays Nation - Jojo Parker, selected out of Purvis HS, is an athletic middle infielder with an elite hit tool. He'll likely hit for more contact than power as a professional but features 20-HR potential. (1/2) While Parker has mostly played SS, most draft experts expect him to move to either 2B or 3B long-term. ESPN had Parker -- whose twin brother, Jacob, is also draft eligible this year -- was ranked as the 7th-highest amongst the 2025 class.✍️: @Hall_Thomas_ (2/2)
Eric Cross - Well-rounded offensive profile with plus raw power and a good feel to hit. Could wind up as a 55-hit/60-power player who adds 10+ steals annually. My #1 for FYPD. #LightsUpLetsGo
Thomas Nestico - Jojo Parker has an extremely advanced hit tool for a prep bat. He has a sharp eye and ran strong contacts which is supported by a good bat control. He has above average power potential which makes him one of the most well rounded hitters in the draft.
SABR Hanlan’s Point Chapter - JoJo Parker is the 1st "JoJo" in the Blue Jays organization since LHP Joseph Albert "JoJo" Reyes was a team member from July 14, 2010 to August 1, 2011.
@MitchBannon #BlueJays director of amateur scouting Marc Tramuta on JoJo Parker: “This was one of the best, if not the best, hit-power combo with plate discipline in the draft.”
@MitchBannon A rival talent evaluator on #BlueJays No. 8 pick JoJo Parker: While defensive questions could push him to a corner INF spot, the pick has "as good of shot of getting offensive value out of a high schooler as anybody."
@MitchBannon From Keith Law's live draft blog at @TheAthleticMLB: Parker "could easily end up one of the top 3 players in the class with the right help at the plate."
@PineBeltSPORTS When Jojo Parker was in second grade, he wrote in a school assignment that his dream was to become a Major League Baseball player. That dream became a reality on Sunday as the Blue Jays selected him in the top 10 of the MLB Draft.
@TaylorBlakeWard #BlueJays 1-8: JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis HS (MS) -- impact offensive upside, gap-to-gap hitter w/ high BA/OBP projection, budding pwr that projects abv/plus, well-rounded bat likely profiles at 3B defensively w/ above-average arm.
@Hall_Thomas_ Jake Cook has an effortless, simple swing from the left side. Easy to see why #BlueJays brass like his profile. .350/.436/.468, .426 wOBA & 131 wRC+ in 60 games.
"The dude is going to hit, the bat is going to be the carrying tool... you want to put this type of player into your farm system because it's an elite skill set." @ShiDavidi on the #BlueJays drafting JoJo Parker with @BlakeMurphyODC & @juliackreuz. #LightsUpLetsGo
Image from Southern Miss.
Round 3 - 81st overall. OF/LHP Jake Cook, Southern Mississippi. Bats Left, Throws Left. 6-foot-3, 185 pounds. Born July 13, 2003. Slot Value $993,900.
MLB.com Scouting Report - Cook may have the biggest dichotomy between tools and track record of any position player in the Draft. Recruited as a two-way player by Southern Mississippi, he focused on pitching and reached 96 mph with his fastball, but his inability to throw strikes led to him redshirting in 2023 and working just two innings last year. Converted to a center fielder this spring, he batted .350 with a 7 percent strikeout rate and displayed some of the best speed and outfield range in college baseball. Cook didn't look like a hitter who hadn't faced live pitching in an official game for two years, using a disciplined approach to consistently put the ball in play to all fields. He has a slappy left-handed stroke and generates a lot of his contact on the ground and to the left side, which yields infield hits but not much power. He has some strength in his 6-foot-1 frame but will have to rework his swing path to do damage at the next level. A legitimate top-of-the-scale runner, Cook can get from home to first in less than 3.8 seconds and turned in the best 30-yard dash (3.51 seconds) and long jump (10 feet, 8.25 inches) of all players who participated in athletic testing at the Draft Combine. He has yet to develop any basestealing acumen, swiping just three bags in eight attempts this spring. His quickness plays much better in center, where he covers both gaps with ease and has a stronger arm than most at the position.
Baseball America Scouting Report - Cook is a 6-foot-3, 185-pound outfielder who has a light college track record but some of the better athleticism in the draft. After pitching as a reliever in a limited capacity for Southern Miss in 2024, he focused on hitting full-time in 2025 and broke out. He worked his way into the leadoff spot and slashed .350/.436/.468 with three home runs, a 6.7% strikeout rate and a 10.9% walk rate. Cook is a contact hitter who rarely swings and misses and almost never misses a fastball. He slaps the ball around to all fields but has well below-average raw power— though he does have a solid frame that could add more strength in the future. Cook is a double-plus runner who turned in the best 30-yard dash and long jump at the MLB Draft combine’s athletic testing. He has a chance to be an above-average defender in center field, where he also has an above-average arm. Despite his speed, Cook went just 3-for-8 (37.5%) on the bases. He has an up-the-middle profile with loud supplemental tools, though his scarce collegiate track record might be enough to concern some clubs.
Twitter Reaction
@BaseballAmerica Jake Cook is selected in the third round by the Blue Jays. The outfielder had an excellent first full season as a hitter, slashing .350/.436/.468 with 32 RBIs. Sleeper prospects to watch in the draft.
@Hall_Thomas_ Sounds like #BlueJays just drafted the second coming of Kevin Kiermaier. 10/10 on names between JoJo Parker & Jake Cook, too. Look out, Daulton Varsho & Myles Straw -- you've got some company! Jake Cook, who transitioned to a full-time CF in 2025, features elite speed & plate discipline (insane 6.7% K% in 60 games with USM !!) #BlueJays
@Ryley__Delaney It's Jake Cook's birthday today.
@TaylorBlakeWard 38m #BlueJays 2-81: Jake Cook, LHP, Southern Miss -- anomaly speed/athleticism w/ off charts upside, green arm who has been up to mid 90s on mound w/ limited strike throwing track record, slap/dash hitter w/ 80 speed, best runner in class, multiple outcome project w/ plenty of upside.
"There was a team picking almost directly behind them, and that was their pick on the board, and their reaction was,' Oh F-word, they just took [Jake Cook].'" @GeoffPontesBA on Cook being drafted No. 81 overall with @BlakeMurphyODC and @juliackreuz #LightsUpLetsGo
The Toronto Blue Jays have the eighth pick this year but they do not have their second-round pick after signing outfielder Anthony Santander as a free agent. Their next pick will be in the third round at 81. The Blue Jays have a bonus pool of $10,314,600.
Baseball America believes the Blue Jays will select shortstop JoJo Parker from Purvis High School in Mississippi. Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo from MLB.com both predict the Jays will draft lefthander Jamie Arnold from Florida State. Kiley McDaniel from ESPN.com thinks Toronto will take shortstop Aiva Arquette from Oregon State.
Image from Mississippi Scoreboard.
Round 1 - 8th overall. SS JoJo Parker, Purvis HS (Mississippi). Bats Left, Throws Right. 6-foot-2, 200 pounds. Born August 8, 2006. Slot Value $6,813,600.
MLB.com Scouting Report - The Parker twins are the best high school position prospects in Mississippi. Outfielder Jacob has more raw pop, but infielder JoJo offers a more enticing package with superior hitting ability and athleticism and has played his way into the first round with a strong senior season. Multiple scouts have compared him to a more powerful version of Carter Johnson, an Alabama prep shortstop who signed with the Marlins for a well-over-slot $2.8 million as a second-rounder last July. Parker has a chance to be a plus hitter with average power. 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. While Parker will get the chance to play shortstop at the next level and his solid arm strength, his actions and quickness are just average. That likely will dictate a move to second or third base in the future, though he should provide enough offense to profile at either position. The twins are committed to playing together at Mississippi State if they don't turn pro. Video
Baseball America
Reaction: Parker has been one of the biggest high school helium players of the last year. That’s because of the belief many scouts have in his hitting ability with a sweet, adjustable lefthanded swing and impressive barrel accuracy with an all-fields approach and good strike-zone judgment. There are questions about where he ends up defensively, but the Blue Jays are betting on one of the most advanced high school hitters in the nation.
Scouting Report: 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. Video
Batter’s Box Instant Analysis - It’s the second year in a row the Jays have drafted a Parker, selecting catcher Aaron Parker in the 6th round out of UC-Santa Barbara. Also, the Jays drafted righthander Parker Caracci from MIssissippi State in 2018 (37th round) and 2019 (21st round). Hall of Famer Dave Parker played for the Jays in 1991.
Twitter Reaction
Zach Worden - The #BlueJays pick JoJo Parker at No. 8, landing the prep SS after a bit of a chaotic start to the draft. Potential is there to be an impact bat from the left side. Will be fun to follow his development in the years ahead.
Adam Heisler - One of my favorite high school bats in the draft JoJo Parker @Parker2Jojo Elite bat to ball skills. A hitter, that hits for power. Reminds me of a smaller (6”1 vs 6”3) Gunnar Henderson. Future all star. #MLBDraft25
Damon - Still recovering from Joe Doyle sending me on an emotional Rollercoaster but JoJo Parker is a phenomenal pick in his own right. Has an argument for best overall hit tool in the entire draft class. Chris Clegg has him as the best prep bat in this draft.
Ben Nicholson-Smith - Rival scout likes lefty hitting SS Jojo Parker, taken 8th overall by Blue Jays. Describes Parker as an ideal two hole hitter who likely ends up at 3B. Hit/power combo with advanced bat to ball, strong arm, fringy speed. Seen as a high character person as well.
@bnicholsonsmith Jojo Parker, the Blue Jays' first-round pick, has a twin brother named Jacob, who's also a well-regarded prospect (OF with power). Their father is a lawyer & judge who was paralyzed after sustaining a football injury in high school. Remarkable story.
Peter Flaherty III - With the 8th overall pick, the Toronto Blue Jays have selected SS JoJo Parker. Strong, athletic frame. Enticing hit-power combination. Present bat speed, gets barrel to all parts of the zone. 55s for both hit/power. AA arm, could slide off SS.
Andrew Abadie - Jojo Parker, the No. 8 overall pick in the MLB Draft, tells me that he plans to sign with the @BlueJays.
Blue Jays Avenue Podcast - The #BlueJays select with the 8th pick Jojo Parker out of Purvis HS (MS) Great pick, massive upside with his bat from the left side, probably moves off SS as he progresses through the system but a high upside INF which this organization loves! #LightsUpLetsGo
Blue Jays Nation - Jojo Parker, selected out of Purvis HS, is an athletic middle infielder with an elite hit tool. He'll likely hit for more contact than power as a professional but features 20-HR potential. (1/2) While Parker has mostly played SS, most draft experts expect him to move to either 2B or 3B long-term. ESPN had Parker -- whose twin brother, Jacob, is also draft eligible this year -- was ranked as the 7th-highest amongst the 2025 class.✍️: @Hall_Thomas_ (2/2)
Eric Cross - Well-rounded offensive profile with plus raw power and a good feel to hit. Could wind up as a 55-hit/60-power player who adds 10+ steals annually. My #1 for FYPD. #LightsUpLetsGo
Thomas Nestico - Jojo Parker has an extremely advanced hit tool for a prep bat. He has a sharp eye and ran strong contacts which is supported by a good bat control. He has above average power potential which makes him one of the most well rounded hitters in the draft.
SABR Hanlan’s Point Chapter - JoJo Parker is the 1st "JoJo" in the Blue Jays organization since LHP Joseph Albert "JoJo" Reyes was a team member from July 14, 2010 to August 1, 2011.
@MitchBannon #BlueJays director of amateur scouting Marc Tramuta on JoJo Parker: “This was one of the best, if not the best, hit-power combo with plate discipline in the draft.”
@MitchBannon A rival talent evaluator on #BlueJays No. 8 pick JoJo Parker: While defensive questions could push him to a corner INF spot, the pick has "as good of shot of getting offensive value out of a high schooler as anybody."
@MitchBannon From Keith Law's live draft blog at @TheAthleticMLB: Parker "could easily end up one of the top 3 players in the class with the right help at the plate."
@PineBeltSPORTS When Jojo Parker was in second grade, he wrote in a school assignment that his dream was to become a Major League Baseball player. That dream became a reality on Sunday as the Blue Jays selected him in the top 10 of the MLB Draft.
@TaylorBlakeWard #BlueJays 1-8: JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis HS (MS) -- impact offensive upside, gap-to-gap hitter w/ high BA/OBP projection, budding pwr that projects abv/plus, well-rounded bat likely profiles at 3B defensively w/ above-average arm.
@Hall_Thomas_ Jake Cook has an effortless, simple swing from the left side. Easy to see why #BlueJays brass like his profile. .350/.436/.468, .426 wOBA & 131 wRC+ in 60 games.
"The dude is going to hit, the bat is going to be the carrying tool... you want to put this type of player into your farm system because it's an elite skill set." @ShiDavidi on the #BlueJays drafting JoJo Parker with @BlakeMurphyODC & @juliackreuz. #LightsUpLetsGo
Image from Southern Miss.
Round 3 - 81st overall. OF/LHP Jake Cook, Southern Mississippi. Bats Left, Throws Left. 6-foot-3, 185 pounds. Born July 13, 2003. Slot Value $993,900.
MLB.com Scouting Report - Cook may have the biggest dichotomy between tools and track record of any position player in the Draft. Recruited as a two-way player by Southern Mississippi, he focused on pitching and reached 96 mph with his fastball, but his inability to throw strikes led to him redshirting in 2023 and working just two innings last year. Converted to a center fielder this spring, he batted .350 with a 7 percent strikeout rate and displayed some of the best speed and outfield range in college baseball. Cook didn't look like a hitter who hadn't faced live pitching in an official game for two years, using a disciplined approach to consistently put the ball in play to all fields. He has a slappy left-handed stroke and generates a lot of his contact on the ground and to the left side, which yields infield hits but not much power. He has some strength in his 6-foot-1 frame but will have to rework his swing path to do damage at the next level. A legitimate top-of-the-scale runner, Cook can get from home to first in less than 3.8 seconds and turned in the best 30-yard dash (3.51 seconds) and long jump (10 feet, 8.25 inches) of all players who participated in athletic testing at the Draft Combine. He has yet to develop any basestealing acumen, swiping just three bags in eight attempts this spring. His quickness plays much better in center, where he covers both gaps with ease and has a stronger arm than most at the position.
Baseball America Scouting Report - Cook is a 6-foot-3, 185-pound outfielder who has a light college track record but some of the better athleticism in the draft. After pitching as a reliever in a limited capacity for Southern Miss in 2024, he focused on hitting full-time in 2025 and broke out. He worked his way into the leadoff spot and slashed .350/.436/.468 with three home runs, a 6.7% strikeout rate and a 10.9% walk rate. Cook is a contact hitter who rarely swings and misses and almost never misses a fastball. He slaps the ball around to all fields but has well below-average raw power— though he does have a solid frame that could add more strength in the future. Cook is a double-plus runner who turned in the best 30-yard dash and long jump at the MLB Draft combine’s athletic testing. He has a chance to be an above-average defender in center field, where he also has an above-average arm. Despite his speed, Cook went just 3-for-8 (37.5%) on the bases. He has an up-the-middle profile with loud supplemental tools, though his scarce collegiate track record might be enough to concern some clubs.
Twitter Reaction
@BaseballAmerica Jake Cook is selected in the third round by the Blue Jays. The outfielder had an excellent first full season as a hitter, slashing .350/.436/.468 with 32 RBIs. Sleeper prospects to watch in the draft.
@Hall_Thomas_ Sounds like #BlueJays just drafted the second coming of Kevin Kiermaier. 10/10 on names between JoJo Parker & Jake Cook, too. Look out, Daulton Varsho & Myles Straw -- you've got some company! Jake Cook, who transitioned to a full-time CF in 2025, features elite speed & plate discipline (insane 6.7% K% in 60 games with USM !!) #BlueJays
@Ryley__Delaney It's Jake Cook's birthday today.
@TaylorBlakeWard 38m #BlueJays 2-81: Jake Cook, LHP, Southern Miss -- anomaly speed/athleticism w/ off charts upside, green arm who has been up to mid 90s on mound w/ limited strike throwing track record, slap/dash hitter w/ 80 speed, best runner in class, multiple outcome project w/ plenty of upside.
"There was a team picking almost directly behind them, and that was their pick on the board, and their reaction was,' Oh F-word, they just took [Jake Cook].'" @GeoffPontesBA on Cook being drafted No. 81 overall with @BlakeMurphyODC and @juliackreuz #LightsUpLetsGo
