By Billy Watkins
The Toronto Blue Jays did their homework on Purvis High shortstop Jojo Parker.
They sent 14 scouts to Mississippi and other places to watch him play, and that included cross-checkers from all over the country, Blue Jays director of amateur scouting Marc Tramuta said during a press conference after the pick.
They loved what they saw.
The Blue Jays drafted Parker with the No. 8 overall pick in Sunday’s opening night of the Major League Baseball draft. Jojo was the fourth high school player chosen.
“”This was one of the best, if not the best, hit-power combos with plate discipline in the draft,” said Tramuta. “We couldn’t be more excited to get this type of what we think is a well-rounded offensive player.”
Parker’s versatility on the infield also played a factor in the Blue Jays’ choice.
Parker has signed with Mississippi State. But after being picked so early in the draft, a career with the Bulldogs seems doubtful. The allotted slot money for the No, 8 pick is $6,813,600. There will be some negotiating, of course, but teams usually do whatever it takes to sign their first-round picks.
As a senior, Jojo batted .489 with 13 homers, 70 runs scored and 37 stolen bases. He finished his career with 203 hits and 40 home runs. He was Purvis’ pitching ace as a senior with an 8-2 record and 99 strikeouts in 62.2 innings.
Jojo’s fraternal twin, Jacob, should hear his name called early today during the second part of the draft. Jacob is a power-hitting, fleet-footed outfielder. He has also signed with State.
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Four other players with Mississippi ties were drafted Sunday.
* USM pitcher JB Middleton was chosen with the second pick in the second round by the Colorado Rockies. Middleton won this year’s Ferris Trophy winner as the top collegiate baseball player in Mississippi.
He went 10-1 with a 2.31 ERA. He stuck out 122 batters and walked only 25. He is the highest-drafted pitcher in USM history.
His fastball can reach 97 miles per hour, and his slider and changeup keep hitters honest.
*Pitcher Landon Harmon of East Union Attendance Center in Blue Springs was selected by the Washington Nationals with the fifth pick of the third round. He stands 6-foot-5 and is a Mississippi State signee.
His fastball reached 99 mph at times this season. He went 12-1 with a 0.94 ERA and 131 strikeouts. He also batted .511 with 10 homers an 48 RBIs.
*Outfielder Jake Cook of Southern Miss was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays with the sixth pick of the third round. Toronto likes his upside after showing noticeable improvement in 2025. He led the team in batting with a .350 average. He hit three homers, 13 doubles and three triples. At this year’s MLB combine, he tied the all-time record with a 3.5 in the 30-yard dash. Cook made the ESPN No. 2 Play of the Day on May 3 with a homer-robbing catch.
*Ole Miss pitcher Mason Morris was selected by the Cincinnati Reds with the eighth pick in the third round. Morris, who pitched in relief for the Rebels, went 5-1 with a 3.29 ERA this season. Scouts liked his cutter, which he throws in the 90’s and has great depth.
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Numerous mock drafts had Jojo Parker going to the Chicago White Sox at No. 10. The Blue Jays nabbed him one pick ahead of the White Sox.
In the early part of his high school career, Jojo was a slick fielder who was a gap to gap hitter.
“We didn’t know that Jojo would progress as much as he has,” said Purvis coach Tony Farlow. “He’s hitting with some power now.
“Both of those boys, Jojo and Jacob, worked so hard. They made everybody around them better — even the coaches. They made me work harder by seeing how hard they worked and how much they care.”
Farlow credits their parents, Jop and Mechelle, for raising two accountable 18-year-olds. Jojo and Jacob lean heavily on their faith and aren’t shy about expressing it.
Jojo and Jacob have also been inspired by their dad’s tenacity. He was paralyzed making a tackle during a football game his junior year of high school. He is an attorney in Purvis and serves as the Lamar County court judge.
The twins were co-winners of such honors as the MaxPreps and Perfect Game Player of the Year awards.
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