Parkland’s Gio Rojas makes history as first Marjory Stoneman Douglas baseball player selected in the MLB first round with No. 16 pick

Parkland, Florida – Gio Rojas has reached a milestone that few young baseball players ever achieve, becoming the first first-round MLB Draft selection in Marjory Stoneman Douglas baseball history.

The Parkland standout was selected 16th overall by the Texas Rangers in the MLB Draft, officially turning a childhood dream into reality while adding another remarkable chapter to one of the country’s most successful high school baseball programs.

For Rojas, the moment was about more than simply hearing his name called. It represented years of hard work, dedication, and the support of teammates, coaches, and a community that watched him develop into one of the nation’s top young pitchers.

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“It was an amazing time playing at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, and it all started with the 2024 class for me,” Rojas said. “They set the standard, and I just tried to do my thing.”

Rojas’ journey to the first round of the MLB Draft began far from South Florida. He grew up in Colorado and picked up a baseball for the first time when he was around 6 years old. From there, he developed his skills through several national travel baseball programs, competing against some of the best young players in the country.

Before the start of his sophomore year, Rojas moved to Parkland and joined the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Eagles, a program already known for its winning tradition and championship expectations.

His arrival immediately became part of a special era for the school. During his first season with the Eagles, the team captured the first of three consecutive FHSAA State Championships. Although Rojas did not pitch during the postseason as a sophomore, he quickly showed why he was considered a future star, finishing the year with a 4-0 record and an impressive 0.66 ERA.

During that first season, Rojas also developed strong relationships with the senior class, including Devin Fitz-Gerald, Christian Rodriguez, Rylan Lujo, and Niko Benestad. The group graduated as four-time state champions, setting a standard that helped shape the culture around the program.

Rojas also formed a close connection with fellow pitcher Jayden Dubanewicz. The two pushed each other throughout their time together, constantly working to improve and compete at the highest level.

That competitive environment helped prepare Rojas for one of the most dominant seasons ever recorded by a Florida high school pitcher.

As a junior, he delivered a historic performance, finishing 13-0 with a 0.72 ERA while leading the Eagles to another state championship. His outstanding season earned him two of the state’s highest individual honors, including Florida Gatorade Player of the Year and Florida Dairy Farmers Player of the Year.

Rojas continued his dominance during his senior season, proving that his junior year was not an exception but a sign of what he could consistently accomplish on the mound.

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He finished his final high school campaign with an 11-1 record and a remarkable 0.58 ERA. His biggest moment came in the 2026 FHSAA State Championship Game against Venice High School, when he was trusted with the start on the biggest stage.

Rojas delivered when his team needed him most, throwing 6.2 scoreless innings to help secure another championship for Marjory Stoneman Douglas. He ended his high school career with 285 strikeouts across 162 innings, leaving behind one of the strongest pitching resumes in Florida baseball history.

Eagles head coach Todd Fitz-Gerald recognized early that Rojas had rare talent. He gave the pitcher the nickname “The Demon” because of his intensity and ability to overpower hitters.

Fitz-Gerald believes Rojas stands apart from other players he has coached during his career.

“Truly, the best pitcher I have ever seen at the high school level,” Fitz-Gerald said. “He’s been great for us for three years and has a long future playing professional baseball.”

A major reason for Rojas’ success has been his deep pitching arsenal. His fastball can reach the upper 90s, but he is not simply a power pitcher. He also uses a curveball, slider, sinker, and cutter, giving him multiple ways to challenge hitters.

That combination of speed, movement, and control helped make him one of the most complete pitchers available in the draft.

While his future is expected to be built around pitching, Rojas also proved he was a talented offensive player during his high school career. He finished with a .344 batting average, seven home runs, and 62 RBIs.

However, as he developed into an elite pitcher, Rojas decided to focus more of his attention on the mound. He began dedicating most of his training toward pitching around the eighth grade, a decision that helped guide him toward becoming a top professional prospect.

His success was not limited to high school competition. Rojas also represented Team USA on the 18U National Team, competing against some of the best young players from around the world.

During the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup, he earned recognition as a member of the All-World Team after producing dominant performances on the international stage.

Rojas finished the tournament with a 2-0 record and did not allow a single run over 11 innings. In the opening game against Panama, he earned the victory by throwing four scoreless innings while allowing three hits and recording three strikeouts.

Later, in the Super Round matchup against Korea, he delivered one of his best performances, throwing a complete-game shutout. He allowed only two hits and struck out 10 batters, further establishing himself as one of the top amateur pitchers in the world.

Now, after making history at Marjory Stoneman Douglas and becoming the school’s first first-round MLB Draft pick, Rojas is preparing for the next stage of his baseball journey.

His path from a young player in Colorado to a championship pitcher in Parkland and now a first-round professional selection reflects years of commitment and determination.

For the Eagles program, his selection represents another proud achievement. For Rojas, it marks the beginning of a new challenge as he takes the next step toward a professional baseball career with the Texas Rangers.