You only get one chance to make a first impression. Jefferson Rojas made his count.
MLB’s No. 75 prospect singled in his first Triple-A plate appearance and followed that up with a booming home run in his second one to help propel Syracuse past Lehigh Valley, 9-1, on Tuesday night at NBT Bank Stadium.
Rojas’ strong debut at the Minors’ highest level added another exclamation point to what has been both a true breakthrough campaign and a whirlwind six weeks since joining the organization at the Trade Deadline.
Officially promoted to Triple-A on Monday, Rojas was penciled into the two-hole in the Syracuse lineup and quickly delivered a 95.6 mph grounder up the middle in the opening frame.
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The 21-year-old then dropped the hammer in the third inning, ripping a no-doubt, 105.6 mph liner over the left-field fence for a two-run homer off right-hander Brian Keller (Phillies), Rojas' 25th of the season and 10th since joining the Mets on Aug. 3.
The middle infielder was acquired from the Cubs in the deal that sent right-hander Clay Holmes and outfielder Tyrone Taylor to Wrigley. At the time, he represented one of the most intriguing pieces of the Mets’ revamped prospect picture.
Rojas has looked every bit the part and more since his arrival.
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The Dominican Republic native joined Double-A Binghamton on Aug. 5 and kicked off his Mets tenure with one hit in his first 11 at-bats. That all changed dramatically in his fourth game, a three-hit, three-RBI performance that set the tone for the rest of the month and into September.
Rojas slashed .280/.336/.593 with 18 extra-base hits, nine homers and 29 RBIs in 29 games for Binghamton. His nine roundtrippers placed him in a tie atop the Eastern League during that span en route to eclipsing the 20-homer mark for the first time as a pro.
His long-ball prowess was particularly notable because Rojas entered the season with more of a hit-over-power reputation. His bat-to-ball skills and pitch recognition have long been among his biggest strengths, while scouts projected roughly 15-20 jacks once he added strength. He has already blown past his previous career high and even has an outside chance at reaching 30 homers.
Rojas' Triple-A debut is the latest peak in a rapid 2026 ascent that took root last year. Signed as an international free agent in 2022, Rojas enjoyed a solid stateside debut in 2024 for High-A South Bend before really opening eyes there last season.
Now, just six weeks after arriving in New York, the Mets' No. 1 prospect is at the top level of the Minors. And one thing is already clear: Rojas knows how to make an impression.