​Ahead of their Saturday showdown with the Houston Astros, the Texas Rangers added a new name to their organization through the 2026 MLB Draft. With the 16th overall pick, Texas selected 19-year-old left-handed pitcher Gio Rojas from Parkland, Florida, where he starred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Rojas was the second pitcher chosen in the round and marked the sixth high school prospects taken by the draft’s early stages.
Rojas is not the first alumnus of Marjory Stoneman Douglas to reach Major League Baseball. The school has produced several players who have reached the big leagues, including recent Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony, as well as notable alumni such as Anthony Rizzo and Jesus Luzardo. MLB.com’s scouting profile for Rojas positions him as one of the premier arms in the draft, whether the players come from high school or college. Scouts highlight his fastball, which can reach 98 mph, describing it as possessing “outstanding riding life.” This velocity is complemented by a clean release and impressive carry, enabling him to pound the strike zone.
In addition to his fastball, Rojas features a sweeping slider that serves as a formidable secondary offering. While his changeup is not used as frequently, he demonstrates enough feel for it to function as his third pitch in the repertoire. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing around 195 pounds, Rojas presents an athletic frame that projects well for development on the mound. His ability to locate his pitches is evident, and scouts believe his few mechanical flaws—such as a tendency to get downhill or to open his delivery a bit too quickly—are correctable with refinement.
In scouting terms, Rojas’ fastball and slider both carry a 60 grade, with his changeup rated at 50. His control earns a 55, contributing to an overall scouting grade of 60. The Rangers, meanwhile, boast a robust pipeline of pitching prospects, led by right-hander Caden Scarborough, who ranks No. 2 within the organization and No. 63 on MLB’s top-100 list. More than half of Texas’ top-30 prospects are pitchers, and among the 17 pitching talents in the Rangers’ top-30, 14 are right-handers, underscoring the team’s emphasis on developing young arms.
Given the depth of Texas’ pitching depth and Rojas’ youth, the Rangers can afford to take a patient approach in his development, aiming to mold him into a major league-ready pitcher at his own pace. Fans shouldn’t expect to see Rojas in the majors imminently, but following the trajectory of his early professional career promises to be an intriguing storyline.
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