Minnesota Twins Prospect Retrospective: Kendry Rojas

Kendry Rojas was originally signed by the Toronto Blue Jays in October 2020, for $215,000. At the time, he was viewed as a projectable arm with a lean frame, intriguing athleticism, and the foundation of a three-pitch mix that could grow into something more. His career since then has been marked by flashes of upside, interrupted development, and one very rocky introduction to his new organization.

Rojas made his debut in the Florida Complex League in 2021, getting his first taste of professional competition in the United States. In 23 2/3 innings, he posted a 2.28 ERA with a 0.80 WHIP and 14.8 K/9. The results were less important than the foundation. He showed a loose arm, the ability to spin a breaking ball, and enough feel for a changeup to project as a starter. It was a developmental year in every sense, focused on acclimation and building a baseline.

The Blue Jays assigned Rojas to Single-A Dunedin in 2022, where he began to face more advanced hitters. He combined for a 3.98 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP in 40 2/3 innings. He held his own, flashing bat-missing ability (10.2 K/9) while continuing to refine his command. His fastball velocity began to tick up, and his slider started to emerge as his most consistent weapon. There were still bouts of wildness (4.2 BB/9), but the overall trajectory pointed up.

Rojas returned to Dunedin for much of the 2023 season, continuing to build innings and experience. He pitched a career-high 84 innings, while still being over two years younger than the average age of the competition in the Florida State League. The numbers didn't jump off the page (3.75 ERA, 8.8 K/9), but evaluators remained encouraged by the underlying traits. The strike-throwing still came and went, but the ingredients of a legitimate prospect were becoming clearer.

Just as it looked like Rojas might take another step forward in 2024, injuries got in the way. A shoulder issue limited him to under 65 innings, disrupting his development and costing him valuable innings. In limited action, he posted a 2.59 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP and increased his strikeout rate to 9.9 K/9. For a pitcher who already had a relatively light workload, the missed time was significant. It created more pressure on him to make up for lost reps upon his eventual return. 

Rojas returned to the mound in 2025, but missed the first two months with an abdominal strain. Once healthy, he worked his way back and pitched well enough to earn a promotion to Triple-A Buffalo.

Some around the league viewed the jump as aggressive, potentially a move by Toronto to boost his profile ahead of the trade deadline. Shortly after that promotion, Rojas was dealt to the Minnesota Twins (alongside Alan Roden) in exchange for Louis Varland and Ty France. The Twins were intrigued by the upside and quickly plugged him into the Triple-A St. Paul rotation. The results were rough.

Rojas posted a 6.59 ERA over 27 1/3 innings, striking out 28 but walking 23. His inability to consistently find the strike zone put him behind hitters and forced him into unfavorable counts. He also pointed to difficulties adjusting to the Triple-A baseball, noting changes in feel that impacted his grip and pitch characteristics. It was a frustrating stretch, but not one that erased his long-term outlook.

Now entering his age-23 season, Rojas is getting a chance to reset. He got the benefit of a full offseason to settle in with his new organization. He missed time to start the year with a minor hamstring injury, and the Twins have been slowly building him back up. He’s only pitched 7 1/3 innings in 2026, but now, it looks like his next work will come in the big leagues.

Updated Scouting Report
Rojas remains a high-upside arm built around a lively fastball and two legitimate secondary pitches. His fastball has taken a step forward, now sitting in the 96 MPH range and touching 98. The added velocity gives him a larger margin for error, though there are still questions about the pitch’s shape. At times, it plays flatter than ideal, which can limit its effectiveness at the top of the zone.

His slider is still his best pitch. Thrown in the upper 80s, it generates a high rate of swings and misses against both right- and left-handed hitters. It has the potential to be a true out pitch.

The changeup has also taken a step forward, coming in at a similar velocity band with late movement that allows it to play well off the fastball. It gives him a weapon to neutralize right-handed hitters and adds to his overall versatility.

The biggest question remains command. His walk rates have been elevated throughout his career, and his struggles in Triple-A highlighted how quickly things can unravel when he falls behind in counts. There have been signs of improvement in small samples this spring, but sustaining that progress will be key.

Because of his frame and command profile, there is some reliever risk. However, the combination of three quality pitches and improving velocity gives him a legitimate chance to stick in a starting role if everything comes together.

What Comes Next with the Twins
The Twins sent Rojas back to Triple-A St. Paul to open the 2026 season, where he continued to develop as a starter. The focus will be on refining his fastball shape, maintaining his velocity gains, and throwing more consistent strikes. However, there was a need for a lefty in the bullpen with Kody Funderburk stepping away from the team on paternity leave.

There are multiple paths here. In a best-case scenario, Rojas develops into a mid-rotation starter capable of missing bats and providing value over multiple innings. If the command does not reach that level, his arsenal could still make him a valuable late-inning bullpen option where his stuff might play up. He's likely to be a reliever, but a multi-inning arm, in his first taste of the majors, and because he's had such a hard time compiling innings amid injury issues, he might be best situated there. His ascent to this point has been fascinating, but fraught with disruptions. Hopefully, his promotion will mark an end of that, rather than becoming the next in a line of them.

What stands out about his minor-league journey? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

Interested in learning more about the Minnesota Twins' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!