Purvis baseball star and Mississippi State signee Joseph “JoJo” Parker was selected No. 8 overall by the Toronto Blue Jays in the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft on July 13.
Parker was rated as MLB.com’s No. 9 prospect entering the draft. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound shortstop was recognized as Mississippi’s top player after winning the 2025 Gatorade Player of the Year award.
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He also was on the Clarion Ledger’s All-State first team, a 2025 Dandy Dozen selection, and won co-MHSAA Class 4A Mr. Baseball, shared with his brother Jacob. He has been starting on Purvis’ varsity team since middle school. This past season, he led Purvis to the MHSAA 4A state title game.
The pick has a $6,813,600 slot value.
Parker is slotted as the best high school prospect in the state, according to MLB.com. Pro scouts rave about his athleticism and impressive hitting ability. While he plays shortstop, scouts see him as a second or third baseman.
JoJo Parker stats
Parker started 37 games in the 2025 season for Purvis.
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Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Purvis’ JoJo Parker No. 8 overall by Toronto Blue Jays in MLB draft