alex bregman was singled out as one of the veterans Cubs prospect Jefferson Rojas says he is studying as the 20-year-old continues to make noise in major-league camp. The spotlight sharpened this spring in Mesa, Arizona, where Rojas has delivered eye-opening swings in live batting practice and in Cactus League games. The why is simple: the Cubs are getting a close-up look at a young hitter whose power and maturity are drawing direct praise from the people around him.
Rojas’ loudest swings: a backfield homer and two Cactus League blasts
Early this spring at the Cubs’ Mesa complex, Rojas stepped into live batting practice against right-hander Cade Horton and left a clear message with one swing, launching a home run on a backfield watched by fans, coaches, and players. Horton later said he has faced Rojas about seven times over the years, and that Rojas has homered three times in those matchups, each on different pitches.
Rojas’ power has also shown up in game action. He homered in two Cactus League games, both described as no-doubters. The most recent came in a Wednesday game against the Brewers at American Family Field of Phoenix, when he crushed a changeup measured at 438 feet by Statcast.
Officials and staff reactions: “Wow, ” plus a pointed scouting note on the swing
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Rojas has made “a great impression, ” underscoring how different the player looks compared to two years ago. Counsell said the club sees “a good offensive player” who is going to “impact the baseball, ” add “damage, ” and become “a dangerous hitter. ”
Horton, in his own blunt assessment, said, “Jefferson, he owns me, ” before adding that Rojas is “really skilled for his age” and “really mature for his age. ”
Cubs hitting coach Dustin Kelly, who previously worked as a minor-league coordinator and watched Rojas play in the Dominican Republic at around age 17, said the evolution is visible in both contact quality and mechanics. Kelly said Rojas once looked “so raw, ” but now “his swing looks so good right now, ” calling the progress “really, really fun. ” Kelly also detailed what has changed: work in the minor leagues to get into his legs, use his lower half, and create posture. Kelly said the swing path has been cleaned up and the overall efficiency is producing “some output, ” adding that Rojas is hitting the ball “much harder” than he expected to see in a major-league camp from a 20-year-old.
Alex Bregman becomes a reference point as Rojas explains his camp goal
In explaining what he wants out of this experience, Rojas said that one objective is simply to observe the veterans around him, naming alex bregman along with Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson. Rojas, speaking through a translator, said they are infielders like him and that he feels he can learn by watching what they do and how they prepare.
Quick context: why the Cubs have him in this setting right now
Rojas is ranked the Cubs’ No. 5 prospect by MLB Pipeline and is the youngest Cubs player in major-league camp this year as a 20-year-old non-roster invitee. Rojas also said that practicing with players who “play out there” makes the big leagues and Wrigley Field feel closer.
What’s next: the camp evaluation continues, with learning and impact under the microscope
The immediate next step is straightforward: more major-league camp at-bats and more chances to measure how Rojas’ improved mechanics translate against higher-end pitching in game settings. The Cubs’ decision-makers will keep weighing the loud contact against the broader development path, while Rojas keeps leaning into the stated plan of learning by observation — including watching alex bregman — as his swing continues to turn heads this spring.
