2025 Dodgers Digest Preseason Top 50 Prospects

Roki Sasaki strikes out 5 in his #SpringTraining debut. pic.twitter.com/RWUPHApuFS

— MLB (@MLB) March 5, 2025

Roki Sasaki isn’t a prospect like the others on this list. He’s really only here because of a technicality. Being a minor league international free agent signing, Sasaki fits the mold of a prospect in by-the-books classification only.

That isn’t to say that he is a flawless player. But coming over to the United States, Sasaki has a chance to be an ace-level arm immediately. One of the big questions: Which fastball will he have? The one from pre-2024 that was one of the best heaters on Earth, or the one from last year that regressed a bit?

Even if Sasaki’s fastball gets back to its ceiling as an 80-grade pitch, which might depend on his arm health, it wouldn’t be his best offering. That crown goes to his currently 80-grade splitter. By itself, Sasaki’s splitter elevates his floor to a quality big league arm, because it is practically unhittable.

His fastball/splitter combo is so good that Sasaki hasn’t always needed a third pitch, but he will need one to reach his ace potential in the majors. He has a slider that has profiled around average, but it feels possible if not likely that the Dodgers will tinker with his slider to improve its effectiveness. Whether that is being done immediately or sometime down the road remains to be seen.

Sasaki is going straight into the Dodgers big league rotation and was one of the highest value signings in MLB history thanks to his ace-level ceiling being obtained on minor league contract. His biggest question mark is simply availability; he has dealt with arm trouble a few times in the past. If he can stay healthy even somewhat consistently, he could be in line for a fantastic major league career.

Dalton Rushing is back with OKC after being named the #Dodgers Minor Leaguer of the Year and he absolutely DEMOLISHED this baseball

It left his bat at 109 mph and travelled 461 feet 🤯pic.twitter.com/l33aZIulaH

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) September 22, 2024

Dalton Rushing has molded himself into a very impressive player since being taken in the second round in 2022. He hit the ground running as a pro and has not looked back.

Rushing has a well-rounded offensive profile that could fit into a major league lineup right away. He gets on base a ton thanks to plus plate discipline that draws him a lot of walks. The former Louisville catcher also packs a punch and could hit 25 homers per season once he obtains an everyday role. Also adding to his offensive value is the fact that Rushing hits southpaws well; his numbers were nearly identical against righties and lefties last season.

Although he finished the 2024 season playing mostly left field, Rushing has developed into a capable catcher and should be able to stick behind the dish. The Tennessee native isn’t a standout defender, but he makes it work. Will Smith is above him on the depth chart, so whenever Rushing breaks through to the majors, he may need to call upon his experience at first base and left field as well. Long term, the Dodgers may need to shift him around all those spots to have him and Smith both as regulars on the same roster.

Top #Dodgers OF prospect Josue De Paula left the yard for Great Lakes pic.twitter.com/myS1zwbAul

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) August 21, 2024

Most players who are talked about largely for their lofty ceilings come with a naturally low floor. However, this is not the case for Josue De Paula, who has a rare combo of the highest offensive ceiling in the system and a relatively safe profile. Of course, he still has risk, but De Paula also has superb bat-to-ball skills that are already quite polished before his 20th birthday.

After a mid-season promotion to High-A last year, De Paula was more than three years younger than the average Midwest League player. Despite his age, he looked very composed, posting a 22% walk rate and 17% strikeout rate across 52 games with Great Lakes. Both those figures are excellent and indicative of his advanced plate discipline and barrel control.

The dream for De Paula is an All-Star caliber bat. He still has room to fill out his frame and needs to continue adjusting to elevate the ball more consistently. In the end, he could end up an offense-first superstar. His defense isn’t as exciting, but he should be able to pass in a corner outfield spot or potentially moving in to first base if it becomes necessary.

Originally signed out of the Dominican Republic in the Dodgers’ 2022 IFA class, De Paula has moved through the system quickly. He was the youngest non-roster invitee to big league camp this year and held his own against MLB pitchers. The future should be bright for De Paula.

Here's the open side video of Zyhir Hope's 470 ft moonshot from last night in Goodyear. https://t.co/a7tZCzAWND pic.twitter.com/6yJiBy7ZxS

— Geoff Pontes (@GeoffPontesBA) October 11, 2024

Zyhir Hope has become a favorite of prospect heads everywhere. His stock has grown as much as anyone over the last calendar year since the Dodgers acquired him in the Michael Busch trade. Even with an injury-shortened first year in the organization, Hope showed off his immense talent, mashing baseballs every chance he got between Single-A and the Arizona Fall League.

There’s a lot of easy thump in Hope’s bat. He flashed double-plus raw power with consistently high exit velocities. Power is the premier tool in his profile, but he also runs fairly well and has good athleticism. Swing and miss concerns were the main reason Hope dropped to the 11th round of the 2023 draft, and it remains to be seen if whiff problems will surface as he reaches tougher competition. Great Lakes is a tough place to hit, especially early in the year, so Hope will be put to the test in 2025.

Hope’s athleticism helps him from being a complete negative on defense, but he is still will most likely be stuck in a corner. Some teams were intrigued by his potential as a pitcher out of high school and his arm is decent. This is still a bat-first profile rather than a defensive oriented one.

While he’s already experienced a huge jump in attention, buzz around Hope could grow to insane levels if he hits well across a full season in High-A. The Dodgers invited him to big league camp this spring and he did well before being reassigned to minor league camp. A year from now, if his trajectory continues, Hope could be a top 10 prospect in baseball.

Top #Dodgers LHP prospect Jackson Ferris was EXCELLENT today for Great Lakes

7.0 IP
2 H
0 R
0 BB
11 K
96 P / 71 S

Ferris has continued to dial it in as the season has gone on & he’s had some fantastic starts lately. Looking like a big future piece for LA pic.twitter.com/x57XSnZiTR

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) July 7, 2024

Jackson Ferris is the other prospect the Dodgers acquired in the Michael Busch deal last year. He didn’t get the same attention as Hope in his first year as a Dodger, but he performed very well nonetheless. Reaching Double-A in his age-20 season, the left-hander posted a 3.20 ERA and 27% strikeout rate.

Working with his new organization, Ferris has gained some velocity and retooled his arsenal. The Cubs had him throwing a bendy sweeper, but the Dodgers swapped that out for a tight slider that touched 90 mph in an outing this spring. He hides the ball well in his windup and then releases from a low slot that makes his four-seamer effective at the top of the zone.

Ferris only just turned 21 years old in January and already has seven starts with Tulsa under his belt. Coming off an invite to big league camp, he will look to continue refining his command and overall consistency. With continued improvements, an MLB debut in 2026 is very obtainable.

Another homer for #Dodgers top infield prospect Emil Morales

He’s showing off effortless power already despite being only 17 years old pic.twitter.com/Z791MSOURO

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) May 14, 2024

In the discussion about top talents in the Dodgers system, Emil Morales seems to be overlooked a bit despite mashing his way to the DSL MVP award last summer. Originally hailing from the Spanish Canary Islands, Morales already has a large 6-foot-3 frame that creates easy power at 18 years old. He can leave the yard to any field and hit 14 homers in 46 games last season.

Before he was signed, Morales had a hitch in the gather of his swing that created concerns about how he’d fare against velocity. That hitch has already been mostly worked out, but whiffs remain the main thing that could hold him back. He struck out at a 22% rate despite all his batted ball success last summer.

Morales remains at shortstop for now and has good infield actions, but an eventual move to third base seems likely. He still has room to grow into his frame some more and will look some quickness when that happens. Still, his bat profiles plenty well for a long-term home at third base.

It will be interesting to see how aggressive the Dodgers are with Morales moving stateside this year. He could follow a traditional route and do his time in the Arizona Complex League, or he could skip that step and go straight to Single-A. Whichever direction they take, it’s easy to imagine some at-bats in Rancho Cucamonga for Morales in 2025.

Heck of a play at shortstop by #Dodgers prospect Alex Freeland pic.twitter.com/UCue9iqxob

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) September 1, 2024

Alex Freeland could be the next shortstop in line for the Dodgers. He’s going to make his debut in 2025 as he looks to back up a breakout season last year. With the ability to play a good shortstop, second base or third base, Freeland can be a valuable player in a multitude of ways.

His aptitude with the glove gives Freeland an easy high-floor profile. The question even heading into last year was how well his bat could do. After he posted a 132 wRC+ on the year and reached Triple-A, the question is not anymore whether he’d hit enough to be a major leaguer, but instead it is now whether he’ll hit enough for an everyday role.

The former UCF shortstop is a power-over-hit guy and could total around 15-20 homers per season. As a switch-hitter, more of Freeland’s production comes from the left side than the right, although he improved in the right-handed box last year and is passable. He has very good plate discipline and draws a lot of walks. Freeland isn’t the kind of prospect that should be expected to break through to multiple All-Star teams upon reaching the majors, but he is the kind that could stick around for a while as a helpful piece of the organization.

Justin Wrobleski’s MLB debut:

5.0 IP
5 H
4 ER
2 BB
4 K
2 HR
30 CSW%
76 P / 53 S

Did a good job attacking the zone throughout. The two homers accounted for all four runs, but this outing was encouraging in many ways. Wrobleski will be back. #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/D52kQ5facQ

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) July 7, 2024

After a dominant start to the year, Wrobleski hit some snags upon reaching the majors midway through the season. In Tulsa, he showed off plus command that helped him breeze through quality outings, but that control took a step back in the big leagues. Wrobleski ended up pitching in eight games for the Dodgers and didn’t quite look like himself in Triple-A either as he was shuttled back and forth.

With an offseason to reset, the left-hander could be due for a resurgence in 2025. He has a deep mix of pitches but seems to have dialed in on his fastball and slider/cutter as his main attack plan. His four-seamer has been particularly heavy in usage, as its uniqueness helps its effectiveness. Wrobleski sits in the mid-90s and has 1st percentile extension, which sounds bad, but actually seems to make him better simply because of how it is different from other fastballs.

Wrobleski has an interesting profile that should allow him a No. 5 starter floor moving forward. If he can get back to living on the edges of the plate, the hard contact he struggled with in his debut year should be toned down. This will be a big season for Wrobleski to establish himself in the majors, and he’s likely to get plenty of opportunity to do that.

Top #Dodgers SS prospect Joendry Vargas hit a no-doubter for his fourth homer of the year

The 18-year-old has a .926 OPS pic.twitter.com/Wz5Fmgy990

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) July 9, 2024

Joendry Vargas lost a little bit of steam in his first year stateside. His overall numbers were still good, posting an .899 OPS, but he only played in 38 games and his strikeout rate climbed from where it was the year prior.

The 19-year-old was signed out of the Dominican Republic in the Dodgers’ 2023 class. Vargas is a talented hitter who could be a serious power bat when he grows into his body. His ceiling is very high but his hit tool could fall out before he can reach it.

He’s still playing shortstop for now, but Vargas might be better suited for third base once he adds mass. That said, his actions are decent and he has a cannon of an arm, so sticking on the left side shouldn’t be an issue, even if it’s only at a passable level.

River Ryan today for the #Dodgers:

5.2 IP
2 H
1 ER
3 BB
8 K
14 whiffs
29 CSW%
91 P / 55 S

Heck of an outing from the rookie, who was lifted midway through the sixth inning. The run against him scored after he exited the game. pic.twitter.com/ybUaxOUCF2

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) July 28, 2024

River Ryan seemed prime for a burst onto the major league scene before he went down with elbow surgery in August. He’s now left in an awkward place to evaluate as a prospect; Ryan will likely be 27 years old the next time he steps on an MLB mound, but he still has great talent that cannot be ignored.

Three plus pitches made Ryan a slam-dunk for the middle of the Dodgers rotation. LA will hope that his stuff stays the same as he returns from surgery so that Ryan can pick up right where he left off. That return will be near the end of 2025 or the beginning of 2026.

Formerly acquired from San Diego for Matt Beaty, Ryan has improved in every year since the Dodgers made him a full-time pitcher. He has a No. 2 starter ceiling if he can stay healthy and remain the same pitcher. Injuries have become an issue for Ryan, as he had a late start to 2024 as well.

The Dodgers are at it again.

Early on, Eduardo Quintero looks like an analytical superstar for the @Dodgers ACL team.

We explain why ⬇️https://t.co/Jnfu2BchgI pic.twitter.com/apgUfdoyIZ

— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) June 12, 2024

Eduardo Quintero was fairly under the radar when he was signed in the 2023 IFA class, but he quickly rose to be among the top teenagers in the system. Quintero cruised through the Arizona Complex League last year but sputtered after a late-season promotion to Single-A.

Signed in the 2023 class out of Venezuela, Quintero is a four-tool player, featuring plus or better tools in every category except power. He has a great feel for the barrel and is a base hit machine, and his double-plus speed serves him on the bases as well as on defense. Quintero is a true center fielder who should have no problem sticking up the middle as his career progresses.

His plate discipline is very advanced for his age as well. Quintero should be an on-base weapon as he moves through the minor leagues.

2024 SS Kellon Lindsey has seen his name rise up #MLBDraft draft boards this spring 📈

The @GatorsBB recruit is a potential 80 grade runner whose athleticism will allow for positional versatility 👍

Couple hits and I/O from tonight’s game👇@ShooterHunt || @PrepBaseballFL pic.twitter.com/p8er0f4oiV

— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) March 21, 2024

Kellon Lindsey was the first round pick for the Dodgers last year. A high school shortstop out of Florida, Lindsey was the Dodgers’ earliest selection in the first round since 2017. Lindsey has incredible wheels and has drawn Trea Turner comps thanks to his speed and feel at the plate.

The Dodgers held Lindsey out of games last summer after he was drafted as they adjusted him to his new environment and made some swing adjustments. That leaves open the possibility that he starts 2025 in extended spring training before eventually moving to Rancho Cucamonga. The teenager is a hit-over-power profile, but he could eventually reach roughly 15 home run power if he develops physically and learns to lift the ball to the pull side.

Lindsey’s swing is geared for line drives and an impressive spring last year moved him up draft boards. He is also a good defender at shortstop and should have no problem sticking there thanks to his excellent athleticism. Possessing speed that rivals Kendall George for best in the organization, Lindsey can become a very valuable player if his bat sees improvement as a pro.

Top #Dodgers RHP prospect Hyun-Seok Jang tonight in Single-A:

3.0 IP
1 H
0 R
2 BB
7 K
50 P / 30 S

Excellent stuff from Jang. His command has been fleeting this year but his repertoire is built like a top starting pitcher. pic.twitter.com/5WpzPYGphF

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) August 16, 2024

Signed in August 2023 outside of the regular swarm of international free agents, Hyun-Seok Jang’s addition flew a bit under the radar. However, the right-hander made his talent known in his first season as a pro, striking out 41% of the hitters he faced between rookie ball and Single-A.

That isn’t to say the season went by without any hiccups, as Jang struggled to a walk rate of nearly 17%, but it was a net-positive season. He ran his fastball up to 99 mph, which is especially exciting when paired with the deep mix of quality secondaries that Jang brings to the table. His curveball and sweeper each have plus potential, with his slider and changeup each showing above-average promise as well.

Jang could absolutely take off as soon as his strike throwing improves. His pitch mix certainly signals starter; he just needs to find the zone more often to reach his No. 2 ceiling.

#Dodgers RHP prospect Ben Casparius was excellent today:

6.0 IP
5 H
0 R
0 BB
2 HBP
8 K
34 CSW%
13 whiffs
86 P / 60 S

Casparius throws a 70-grade sweeper but also showed some velo in this start, maxing out at 98.3 mph on his fastball. pic.twitter.com/aAlXrzqmMa

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) August 12, 2024

Ben Casparius is a great athlete who has as good a mix of secondaries as anyone in the farm system. All through the minor leagues, his slider has proven to be excellent. Last year, his cutter emerged as a truly excellent pitch alongside it. Sprinkle in an above-average curveball and Casparius has a deep mix of out pitches.

Where he has struggled at times is with a flat fastball. When the former UConn two-way player gets barreled, it is often on the heater. This is something that could get better if he shifts to a shorter stint role rather than pitching as a fully-extended starter. If Casparius found some extra velocity or improved the shape of his fastball, he could reach another level.

It sounds like Casparius has a decent chance to make the Opening Day roster this year as a multi-inning reliever. He is ready to contribute to the big league team from this point forward, and he pitched in playoff games last year as part of the World Series run. Whether it’s as a five-and-dive starter, a long reliever or short-stint option in the bullpen, Casparius as the arsenal to make an impact.

#Dodgers RHP prospect Nick Frasso made his return to the mound

Still waiting to see whether LA stretches him out to start or makes him a reliever right away, but Frasso could see a good chunk of time in the big leagues either way pic.twitter.com/JrcGMPmaIU

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) February 22, 2025

Nick Frasso has made his way back from labrum surgery that took away his 2025 season. It was unfortunate timing for the right-hander, who would have likely made his MLB debut last year after being added to the 40-man roster the previous winter. Now 26, his chance for a big league breakthrough will come this season.

The Dodgers originally picked up Frasso, the Torrance native, in a trade involving Mitch White at the 2022 trade deadline. He immediately saw his stock skyrocket, and in the first portion of his Dodger tenure, Frasso looked like the best pitching prospect in the system. Much of that success was thanks to an unrelenting fastball that played excellent against hitters on both sides of the plate and became his main offering.

His shoulder issues decreased the effectiveness of his fastball leading up to his surgery at the end of 2023, so Frasso’s numbers look much different that year than they did in 2022. Now that he is healthy again, the Dodgers will have the choice to try and work him back as a starter and hope he can stay on the field, or transition him to a bullpen role where some extra juice back on his fastball could give Frasso immediate late-inning impact.

Good bounce back for Edgardo Henriquez!
Henriquez had a truly historical rise through the system last year, and it was one incredibly impressive. His stuff is CRAZY, and it can bully even Major League hitters, so this year will be fun watching him master the execution piece.

He… pic.twitter.com/Z1bRZc8CyN

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) February 26, 2025

Edgardo Henriquez lit up the radar gun last year, touching 104 mph in as rapid an ascent to the big leagues as is possible in the cautious Dodgers promotion pipeline. He started the season in Single-A as a 21-year-old making his return to pro-ball from 2022 Tommy John surgery; he finished the year as a member of the NLCS roster.

The pairing of his high-octane fastball and bullet slider (or cutter, as Statcast reads it) gives Henriquez an easy-to-imagine closer ceiling. He was formerly a starting pitcher in 2022 and earlier, but the Dodgers abandoned that possibility as they fast-tracked Henriquez to the majors last year. His command is good enough to work in relief but will still have to get a little better for him to reach his peak effectiveness.

Henriquez sustained some sort of mystery foot injury this spring that the Dodgers have not been very open about, but he’ll miss the start of the 2025 season. Whenever he returns, he will factor into the relief mix in the big leagues permanently from now on.

Before Tillero's inning, Eriq Swan pitched a rehab frame of his own. Check it out. #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/jSTUyuu3Uq

— Josh Norris 🐻 (@jnorris427) June 10, 2024

The Dodgers drafted Eriq Swan as a project who had not seen much college success but had the potential to grow. That has worked out pretty well so far as Swan has responded well to adjustments made by the organization. He put himself firmly on the radar with an impressive performance in last year’s Arizona Fall League.

Swan has a high-velocity fastball that touches triple digits but never performed well in college due to lackluster shape. That shape has gotten better since he went pro, but it still isn’t at a great level. Swan throws a couple of sliders, with one sharper and the other being a longer sweeper. Lastly, Swan throws a changeup, and he ditched a curveball at the end of the season that was replaced by the sweeper, but he could bring that offering back at some point.

The two main obstacles in the way of Swan: command and durability. The command looked better in Arizona, but he had a 13% walk rate in the regular season. However, that was in only 28 1/3 innings as he struggled to stay on the field. Swan is now entering his second full season as a pro and looking to get a full year’s worth of development out of it.

#Dodgers LHP prospect Wyatt Crowell used his nasty slider to tally his first strikeout at the High-A level pic.twitter.com/Lezp05LgwA

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) August 4, 2024

Wyatt Crowell was working his way back from Tommy John surgery when the Dodgers drafted him in 2023. He’s a good athlete with a filthy slider that gave hitters fits in college at Florida State. Los Angeles helped nurse him back to health and get him on the field for 17 starts last season.

Entering the draft, many people viewed Crowell as a reliever thanks to his wipeout slider and health situation, but he looked good pitching multiple innings in his first year as a Dodger. He advanced from rookie ball to Single-A to High-A by the end of the year, posting a 31% strikeout rate and .171 opponent batting average.

Crowell’s fastball performed well and gave him a pitch to lean on other than the slider. His changeup also showed promise against right-handed batters. The Dodgers will look to extend Crowell out beyond his roughly three-inning limit from last year and see what he looks like under a full starter workload in 2025.

#Dodgers OF prospect and recent IFA signee out of Taiwan Ching-Hsien Ko made his pro debut today in the DSL

He went 1-for-4 with a 2-RBI double ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/V32f7r6WCQ

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) August 6, 2024

Another talented international free agent signed off schedule from the rest of his class, Ching-Hsien Ko was brought in by the Dodgers for north of $500,000 last June. The left-handed-hitting outfielder from Taiwan has shown potential five-tool promise and will move stateside this year.

Ko fit in 40 plate appearances in the Dominican Summer League last season before the end of the schedule. He looked great, tallying four extra-base hits and walking 11 times. He does not necessarily have one tool that stands out above the rest, but his profile also doesn’t have a glaring weakness.

With a smooth left-handed swing, good bat-to-ball skills and room to add strength, Ko could become an intriguing offensive prospect in the next few years. He’ll likely play in the Arizona Complex League in 2025 but could have a chance to reach Rancho Cucamonga at some point as well.

Fantastic performance today from #Dodgers RHP prospect Peter Heubeck:

5.0 IP
2 H
1 ER
1 BB
11 K
19 whiffs
83 P / 48 S pic.twitter.com/ACJbKGPCvo

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) May 26, 2024

Peter Heubeck has been steadily developing his legitimate strikeout stuff since being drafted in the third round out of high school in 2021. He posted a 30% strikeout rate in a career-high 91 1/3 innings last season with Great Lakes. However, that came with a 17% walk rate that limited his dominance.

Now entering his fourth full season in the organization, Heubeck will move up to Tulsa and be forced to land his stuff in the zone more often. His fastball sits in the mid-90s with good ride, and the Maryland native pairs that with a hammer curveball. A solid slider and sparsely used changeup round out his arsenal.

This will be a big year to see if the right-hander can rein in his excellent stuff against better competition than he has faced before.

#Dodgers CF prospect Kendall George tallied his second career four-hit game tonight, finishing it with this WALK-OFF single! pic.twitter.com/cHUmGpcz1p

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) June 23, 2024

The Dodgers took Kendall George 36th overall in 2023, and he has been exactly as advertised as a pro. A true 80-runner, George is a nightmare to deal with on the bases, and he uses that speed to his advantage in other areas as well.

George pairs above-average barrel control with good plate discipline that helps him reach base more often. Although he is far from a power threat, George reaches first base with walks and infield singles, then steals bases in place of slug. His speed should make him a good center fielder, but his reads could use some improvement to reach a plus defensive ceiling.

The range of outcomes here is an average everyday centerfielder that bats ninth while stealing bases and playing good defense, or a pinch-running specialist who could make his way to the big leagues for that alone. George batted .279 in Single-A last year, and it will be interesting to see how his hit tool fares against tougher pitching in High-A while his power remains a non-factor.

2024 3rd Rounder Mike Sirota is the only player going back to the Dodgers for Gavin Lux…

LA also got a Comp A pick (35ish pick), but Sirota is the only player going back for the former super prospect 🤯 pic.twitter.com/HzFJRcsYzR

— Fuzzy (@fuzzyfromyt) January 6, 2025

Mike Sirota came over to the Dodgers alongside a draft pick in the Gavin Lux trade this winter. The Dodgers have had their eye on Sirota for a long time, having drafted him in the 16th round in 2021, but he did not sign and instead went to Northeastern University.

Sirota entered last spring as a potential first-round pick, but some occasional struggles caused him to fall to the Reds in the third round. He has a well-rounded profile that is led by his feel for the zone; Sirota walked an absurd 23% of the time in his junior year of college. The New York state native is also an above-average runner and defender that should steal some bases and stick in center field.

The issues last spring stemmed from timing and swing-and-miss problems. Sirota has not yet made his official pro debut but will likely head to Rancho Cucamonga for the majority of 2025.

Jack Dreyer had a good inning for AAA OKC going scoreless for the 3rd time in a row. Dreyer has an ERA of just 1.27 combined between Tulsa & OKC, WHIP of just 0.84. FB was 94-95 threw that evenly with his slider that he landed 67%. Good control, good command really good stuff!… pic.twitter.com/lMLyEcLXHD

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) May 26, 2024

Even in a packed offseason of 40-man roster the decisions, the Dodgers made room for Jack Dreyer to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. The former undrafted free agent is set to enter the relief mix for the major league team right away.

Dreyer has had excellent success on the field since entering the Dodgers system. His college career at Iowa ended on the surgical table, but he made his return to the mound in 2022 and has posted a 2.18 ERA through 100 professional appearances. Between Double-A and Triple-A last season, Dreyer dominated his way to a 32% strikeout rate and 5% walk rate.

The leading pitch in the southpaw’s arsenal is his fastball, which sits in the low-to-mid 90s but disappears on hitters thanks to its excellent carry. He also has a couple of above-average breakers and locates all of his pitches well. The Utah native could be a big part of the Dodger bullpen moving forward, starting with this season.

Maddux Bruns, my No. 8 #Dodgers prospect, was great tonight for High-A Great Lakes:

3.0 IP
1 H
1 R (0 ER)
0 BB
4 K
13 whiffs (!!!)
56 P / 40 S pic.twitter.com/atrCh9Lt6g

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) September 9, 2023

A former first round pick and Alabama Gatorade High School Player of the Year, Maddux Bruns has perennially been viewed as a prospect who could break out in a big way. That surge has not happened yet, and although it still could, time is growing short for Bruns to remain a starting pitcher.

The southpaw has great pure stuff between a mid-90s fastball and hard slider that are each plus offerings. His changeup has been a project to increase effectiveness against righties since he entered the organization, but it has started to come along. The last pitch in Bruns’ arsenal, his curveball, was phased out last year as he leaned heavily on his slider.

While he’s posted consistently high strikeout rates, the problems for Bruns have come with strike throwing and durability. He has a walk rate above 15% in each of his first three full seasons and has yet to eclipse 100 innings, including only totaling 28 1/3 frames last year. Bruns still has a tall ceiling if he can get his command on track while staying on the field, but if not, a bullpen decision looms large.

Kyle Hurt looked good in his 1 inning for OKC. FB SAT almost 98 & his Hit & Sit was almost the exact same. That consistency in his throw is something he's shown all year. No sliders, just 3 Changeups that touched 90. Somehow, some way, he needs to be a regular in the LA pen.… pic.twitter.com/SsRLXdGdVd

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 29, 2024

Dealing with injuries all year, Kyle Hurt was only able to throw 21 1/3 innings last year between Triple-A and the majors before he underwent Tommy John surgery in August. He’ll likely be held out until his age-28 season in 2026 now as he makes his recovery.

Hurt has had some of the best stuff in the system since being acquired from the Marlins alongside Alex Vesia in 2021. His fastball and changeup have emerged as his best pitches, with the changeup showing double-plus ability and tearing through left-handed hitters as well as right-handed hitters. His command has never been top-tier, but Hurt is a major league caliber arm anyway at this point.

When he makes his return, it seems likely Hurt will be a reliever for the Dodgers. He still could be very good in that role if he returns with the same quality of stuff.

#Dodgers RHP prospect Jose Rodriguez led LA’s minor league system with a 19.5% swinging strike rate in 2024 (min. 50 IP).

The 23-year-old out of Oaxaca, Mexico went untaken in Rule 5 Draft this winter. He had a 2.52 FIP and 33 K% last season. pic.twitter.com/77c0sBucWQ

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) January 9, 2025

The organization’s swinging strike percentage leader last year, Jose Rodriguez made it through the Rule 5 Draft and could be a candidate for fast-tracking to the majors in 2025.

Rodriguez pitched mostly as a long reliever in the minors last year, a role he could keep moving up through the system. He stands 6-foot-6 and has a somewhat funky release that fools hitters. Rodriguez has four usable pitches, with his changeup being the best of the mix.

The right-hander originally out of Oaxaca, Mexico received an invite to big league camp and made the most of it this spring. He will head to Double-A or Triple-A to start 2025.

#Dodgers RHP prospect Payton Martin in his start today:

4.0 IP
4 H
2 R (0 ER)
2 BB
6 K
7 whiffs
77 P / 49 S

Martin has a 2.53 ERA through three High-A starts pic.twitter.com/Y32hoVtNrt

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) June 23, 2024

Payton Martin has had a roller coaster of a professional career so far. His first season after being taken in the 17th round was a resounding success, gaining national attention as he posted a 2.04 ERA in Single-A. Last year, however, he struggled in his first taste of High-A action.

Martin was pitching differently in his second year in the organization, trying to bring along his changeup as a third pitch. His strikeout numbers tanked and his command didn’t look as good as it did in year one. The North Carolina native will look to shake off last season and get back to his top-prospect ways in 2025.

The question is which version of Martin we will see this year: The high-carry fastball and wipeout slider version that generated whiffs and kept balls on the ground in 2023, or the out-of-sync and rapidly adjusting version we saw struggle in 2024.

Playing some catch-up while I write an article to be posted tomorrow.#Dodgers RHP prospect Jared Karros, who was on the development list from June-August, made a great start to (presumably) finish his season, throwing 3 perfect innings with 3 strikeouts. pic.twitter.com/76ovsXeWQ7

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) September 17, 2024

With a last name that is already Dodger royalty, Jared Karros is looking to carve out his own legacy in the organization separate from his dad Eric’s. He’s on a good track to do so, making a name for himself with steady performance since being drafted in the 16th round out of UCLA.

The 6-foot-7 right-hander had his total workload limited by a long stint on the development list last year, but he was great when on the field. Karros posted a 2.79 ERA and 19.5 K-BB% across 15 starts between High-A and Double-A. He attacks hitters with a ton of extension down the mound and good command throughout his arsenal.

Karros’ future mostly looks like a depth starter that could reach a mid-rotation ceiling is everything goes well. He’s got the best chance to end up as an innings eater who can throw strikes and avoid too much damage. The Manhattan Beach native is Rule 5 eligible this winter and could make his debut at some point if the Dodgers need a spot start.

Cage hack from #Dodgers 2024 third round pick Chase Harlan pic.twitter.com/y43dfZRYIS

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) January 9, 2025

The Dodgers’ third rounder last year out of high school in Pennsylvania, Chase Harlan has a lot of power that he’ll look to tap into as a pro. He was injured and couldn’t make his pro debut yet, but Harlan should be ready for a full season this year. The teenager has a solid glove that could stick at third to pair with 25 homer potential.

For some good news on the timeline right now…..#Dodgers RHP prospect Chris Campos had a great Double-A debut tonight:

6.0 IP
4 H
0 R
0 BB
5 K
76 P / 56 S

The 23-year-old lived in the zone in his first Double-A action. He posted a 3.15 ERA in High-A. pic.twitter.com/rKYcApy7yF

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) June 28, 2024

Chris Campos is a former two-way player at Saint Mary’s that could enter the depth innings fold as soon as this year. His athleticism serves him on the mound, where he has worked his way up through the system with good command and decent swing-and-miss stuff. With four usable pitches and good overall makeup, Campos is likely to make his MLB debut this season.

#Dodgers RHP prospect Carlos Duran today for Tulsa:

4.1 IP
3 H
0 R
2 BB
5 K
11 whiffs
59 P / 38 S

Duran, who stands 6’7 w/ a 70-grade slider, has been excellent this season in his return from Tommy John surgery. He has a 1.67 ERA through eight AA starts. pic.twitter.com/J05gaRXkWv

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) August 22, 2024

Carlos Duran made his return from 2022 Tommy John surgery and worked his way to a brief Triple-A stint by the end of last year. He may have been the most risky player that the Dodgers left up for grabs in the Rule 5 Draft last winter, but Duran went unselected and remains in the organization.

The Dominican right-hander’s slider has long been regarded as one of the best in minor league baseball. He throws two different fastballs to go with it, with the two-seam variety showing the most promise and becoming his main heater. A curveball and a changeup round out his arsenal.

Duran is likely to have some kind of future in the majors based on how well his slider could play in relief. It seems the Dodgers are looking to keep him starting games, at least for now, but this is a big season for Duran to prove his value to the organization. He would probably not make it through the Rule 5 Draft again if he doesn’t earn a 40-man spot (and potentially his MLB debut) anytime this year.

#Dodgers RHRP prospect Reynaldo Yean hit 105 mph on the radar in his appearance tonight

Yean is just 20 years old and is in Single-A. Incredible stuff. He has struggled badly with command in his pro career, but his stuff is otherwordly pic.twitter.com/MhvyoWZ1hp

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) August 23, 2024

Reynaldo Yean is the velocity king of the entire organization. As a 20-year-old in Single-A, Yean touched 105 mph on his fastball last season. The downside: He usually has no idea where it’s going.

Despite the world-class velocity, Yean has not found much true success as a pro because of his command problems. That doesn’t change that his fastball alone gives him a closer ceiling, if he can ever rein it in.

The Dominican Republic native has an impressive movement profile on his fastball as well. Legitimately, if he learns to locate it even a little bit, his fastball could be the best in baseball. Control will be the obstacle as Yean will likely see his first taste of High-A action in 2025.

Got my first look on Tuesday at #Dodgers righthander Samuel Sanchez. Only threw a few innings in the DSL last year, but caught scouts' eyes nonetheless. Take a look. pic.twitter.com/Nt2CmDe0D1

— Josh Norris 🐻 (@jnorris427) June 14, 2024

Samuel Sanchez made it to Single-A last year as an 18-year-old and has shown an impressive fastball-changeup pairing. He still has room to add to his frame and potentially gain some more velocity. Currently sitting around the 93 mph range and touching 97, if he could get into the mid-90s consistently to pair with his wipeout changeup, he could skyrocket.

#Dodgers 2023 8th round pick Jaron Elkins clobbers a ball the other way for a bases clearing triple. Later scoring on a sac-fly from Eduardo Guerrero. Really showing his speed here! @FutureDodgers #LetsGoDodgers pic.twitter.com/ZXftEASsxI

— Prospects Worldwide (@ProspectsWorldW) May 22, 2024

One of the best pure athletes in the system, Jaron Elkins drew attention with his impressive performance in the Arizona Complex League last year. He’s a double-plus runner who plays good defense in the outfield and has big raw power. However, he struck out at a 35% rate, which will have to be reeled in for Elkins to reach his full potential.

What a play at shortstop by #Dodgers prospect Noah Miller pic.twitter.com/iuilP3iAQ4

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) August 14, 2024

Likely the best infield defender in the system, Noah Miller was acquired from the Twins last year and flashed the leather in his first season as a Dodger. His bat is behind his glove and Miller will never be an impact hitter, but his defense is truly good enough to make him valuable anyway. The Wisconsin native has good plate discipline, and the more on-base ability he can add to his profile, the more possible it becomes for him to be a bottom-of-the-lineup everyday shortstop.

#Dodgers OF prospect Damon Keith launched a LONG homer for his 11th of the season pic.twitter.com/BOH1jpC2XD

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) August 17, 2024

A former Cal Baptist slugger, Damon Keith has some of the best raw power in the system. It hasn’t always translated to production because of strikeout struggles, but Keith still had a quality albeit injury-shortened 2024 season in Double-A. He runs well and plays good defense in the corners, increasing his viability as a potential platoon outfielder. The Oceanside native should be a fun player to watch when he reaches the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.

Ronan Kopp, my No. 24 #Dodgers prospect, picked up his first Double-A strikeout pic.twitter.com/ZTixyVK8Yh

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) April 24, 2024

A 6-foot-7 southpaw, Ronan Kopp has the physical makings of a dominant reliever. The JuCo product has struggled to throw strikes as a pro but has the stuff to make an impact. His effectiveness improved as the 2024 season went on and he adjusted to Double-A, which he will look to continue into this season.

Within Minutes of each other, the Dodgers scored in the 11th to take the lead over the Yankees, then Logan Wagner hit a Grand Slam. Wagner was drafted out of HS in the 6th Round in 2022, but has fought injuries since. Super pumped to watch him get comfortable & keep hitting.… pic.twitter.com/ZQy01affd0

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 8, 2024

He’s produced while on the field, but that hasn’t been very often so far as a pro for Logan Wagner, who has had some brutal injury luck. The former high school draftee signed for an over-slot bonus in 2022 and will look to finally put together a full campaign this season. A switch-hitter, he’s got above-average pop from the left side and is more bat-to-ball oriented from the right.

#Dodgers OF prospect Chris Newell muscled a double to the opposite field for his first hit as a Driller

Tough pitch location to hit off the bat at 103 mph, per the broadcast pic.twitter.com/h4B722JmFC

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) August 7, 2024

Chris Newell struggled to make the adjustment to Double-A over the final month of last season, but he still wound up with 25 home runs in total on the year. He has plus raw power but so much swing-and-miss engrained in his game that it’s hard to envision how often the power will play in games. Positively, he’s got a good glove in the outfield and runs well, having stolen 31 bases last year.

#Dodgers 3B prospect Jake Gelof hit his second High-A home run pic.twitter.com/IOGYNYehaA

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) June 5, 2024

Jake Gelof is Virginia’s all-time leader in home runs, but he hit a snag upon moving up to High-A last season. The results didn’t get much better in the Arizona Fall League where he batted just .172. It’s not time to throw in the towel yet, but Gelof has a big season ahead of him to prove he can still eventually reach his 20+ homer potential in the big leagues.

Hunter Feduccia’s first MLB hit: pic.twitter.com/TctwpDdcqr

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) August 25, 2024

Hunter Feduccia could be a backup catcher immediately, and the only reason he isn’t slated for that role is because of how valuable Austin Barnes remains to the organization. Feduccia works well with the pitchers and will see time in the majors this year. He isn’t a huge contributor on offense but holds his own.

#Dodgers RHP prospect Patrick Copen today:

5.0 IP
2 H
0 R
2 BB
6 K
89 P / 58 S

Copen, who has a 2.92 ERA since being promoted, picked up his first High-A win pic.twitter.com/KGD3pOq8UU

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) July 12, 2024

Patrick Copen sustained one of the most brutal injuries in recent Dodger memory last year when a comebacker hit him in the face and ended a quality season prematurely. He had facial fractures and has not yet regained vision in his right eye. Still, the former Marshall hurler is back in camp this spring and will proceed with his career that was on a great trajectory last year. His fastball leads his arsenal and has plus potential, both in terms of missing bats and avoiding hard contact.

Austin Gauthier went oppo for his first Triple-A home run pic.twitter.com/Kbpm9GunCE

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) May 10, 2024

Austin Gauthier has a high likelihood utility future in the majors. The former four-year infielder at Hofstra has worked his way up to Triple-A with the Dodgers after going undrafted out of college. He was a non-roster invitee this spring and could make his MLB debut this year if a utility or LHP platoon need arises.

For the #Dodgers, 18-year-old RHP Jesus Tillero made his season debut. Just one inning, but he broke off a fiercely nasty changeup before departing. pic.twitter.com/ZOCyXUmZXr

— Josh Norris 🐻 (@jnorris427) June 10, 2024

After a dominant start to his pro career as a 17-year-old in the Dominican Summer League, Tillero ran into some struggles in stateside rookie ball last year. He has run his fastball up to 97 mph before and will look to bounce back in a season that will likely include his Single-A debut. Tillero pairs his fastball with a slider that has shown above-average upside.

Some cage hacks with #Dodgers infield prospect Oswaldo Osorio

Still just 19, Osorio scuffled a bit in his first Single-A experience this year, but still plenty of reasons for optimism. Easy power from left side, good feel for zone, looking for bat-to-ball improvement pic.twitter.com/52wF0Rr689

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) December 11, 2024

Oswaldo Osorio sputtered in Single-A last year after a couple great seasons in rookie ball. He’s a powerful hitter with plus raw power and who also has above-average actions in the infield, although he may have to move off shortstop as he gets bigger. If Osorio’s hit tool can just hold up enough to let his sweet left-handed swing hit for power, he could be a valuable player.

Jakob Wright is enjoying a breakout campaign for @CalPolyBSB, improved to 8-2, 2.77 with 92 Ks in 78 IP with a 9 K performance against Utah Tech last Friday – has been mostly low-90s, touches mid-90s with low-80s slurve

Here he Ks the first 2 batters he faced last Friday ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/PQ2dSIWhC7

— Patrick Ebert (@PatrickEbert44) May 14, 2024

Jakob Wright was drafted out of Cal Poly SLO last year thanks to a sweeper that tore through his Big West opponents. The rest of Wright’s pitches profile around average, but he’s got enough of them to imagine a starting pitcher if his command does well enough. His fastball needs to gain some velocity, which could also push him to the bullpen eventually.

#Dodgers OF prospect Ryan Ward launched a massive go-ahead homer for Team USA at the Premier 12 pic.twitter.com/rxoX7ce2xY

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) November 23, 2024

Ryan Ward led the Pacific Coast League in homers last year but still went untaken in the Rule 5 Draft. He appears set to head back to Oklahoma City for a third season, where the 27-year-old will be trying to earn a big league chance with the Dodgers or any other team as he remains position blocked in the organization. He’s got good power but a lacking hit tool and over-aggressive approach that scared teams away from adding him as a bat-first corner outfielder.

One #Dodgers prospect I’m excited to hopefully see this year: RHP Brady Smith.

He was a 3rd rounder out of high school in 2023 but has to make his pro debut due to injury. High spin on the full arsenal, good secondaries, had room to add strength/velocity. pic.twitter.com/irl8H4aa5U

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) January 26, 2025

Brady Smith was drafted in 2023 out of high school in Tennessee but couldn’t make his debut last year after spending the whole year on the injured list. A third round pick, Smith had good spin on all his pitches as an amateur, including a curveball and slider that both looked above-average. His fastball only sat in the low-90s but could gain velocity as he adds mass.

#Dodgers 2B/C prospect Yeiner Fernandez hit a go-ahead double for Tulsa pic.twitter.com/n50htB1loq

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) July 11, 2024

A former Little League World Series player representing Venezuela, Yeiner Fernandez has been on the radar for a long time. He played the entirety of last season in Double-A and held his own despite being more than three years younger than the average Texas League player. Fernandez doesn’t have much power but can play second base and catcher, giving him a potential utility profile to pair with his impressive bat-to-ball skills.

First time seeing LHP Luke Fox, 2023 17th Rd. Draft Pick who is just recovered from TJ. Working on confirming the mix, but looks like 4S, Change & slider with Knuckle grip. When confirmed, I'll leave it in the comment section, plus velo numbers.
Nice outing
4IP 2H 1R 5K 1BB… pic.twitter.com/NAOkd3fjbl

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 30, 2024

Luke Fox underwent Tommy John surgery to finish his final year at Duke, and he’s made strides since entering the Dodgers organization. His fastball now sits in the 93-97 mph range with a good slurve-like breaking ball to go with it. The Dodgers added a cutter to his arsenal that helps both the fastball and breaking ball play up. Fox didn’t throw all that many strikes but had a 30% strikeout rate in Single-A last year.