Dodgers Prospect Notes: Elkins Elite for Ontario, Ferris Fights Back, Hope Hammers Homers, Sirota Swats to Extend Streak, more

Jared Massey 07/06/2026 Prospect Notes Leave A Comment

Jaron Elkins
Jaron Elkins (Photo: Cody Bashore)

Hitter of the Week

Jaron Elkins came into the season lost in the Dodgers’ minor league outfield mix, coming off a season in which he stole 63 bases and clubbed nine homers but also struck out nearly 30% of the time. After returning to Single-A this year, he’s found a level of production that few in the organization can match.

Elkins has impressive tools, with his speed, arm, defense and power grading out as above average or better; it’s been his contact rate that’s held him back. Now he’s making more contact, cutting his strikeout rate by nearly 4.5% while hitting for more power. Last week, he went 14 for 27 with five multi-hit efforts, including a pair of doubles and three home runs. His 11 longballs this season is a new career-best and he’s played just 54 games.

Now, he is repeating Single-A and sporting an absurd .431 BABIP while still striking out in a quarter of his plate appearances, but more than half of his strikeouts came in April. He clearly needs a new challenge and there is a spot in Great Lakes’ outfield.

Pitcher of the Week

It’s been an arduous season for Jackson Ferris. After coming to the org in 2024 and establishing himself as one of the Dodgers’ best pitching prospects, he’s struggled to maintain that billing in Triple-A this season. His 7.08 ERA and 5.81 FIP point to a pitcher who seems to have burned out.

Then came his start last Friday. Although his stuff is still down from where it was over the previous few years, he showed the ability to miss bats that he hasn’t harnessed this year, striking out a season-high eight hitters. He also pitched six innings for the first time in 2026.

Still just 22-years-old, Ferris has the chance to build off this start and re-establish himself as one of the Dodgers’ top young arms. Hopefully he can use this game as a building block to put this once-lost season back together.

Triple-A Oklahoma City

Zach Ehrhard continues to rake, belting another pair of homers last week to give him 13 on the season, one shy of his career-best 14 from last year. After OPSing .623 in April, he improved to .911 in May and 1.022 in June before starting July off by going 5 for 13.

Jack Suwinski had a big week, with four multi-hit efforts heading into the weekend and two homers. Noah Miller started July off right, collecting hits in each of his last five games including his 9th homer on the 4th. While his bat has been up and down this year, his glove remains elite.

James Tibbs III had a quiet week, collecting just three hits including a double. Ryan Ward had five hits, including his 7th homer with OKC, but it was his walk-off single on Friday that was the highlight of his week. It was his 462nd hit as a Comet, tying the franchise record.

Double-A Tulsa

This may come as a shock, but Josue De Paula continues to hit. He went 12 for 30 last week with four doubles and two homers, giving him 15 on the year in just 77 games. Mike Sirota, who will join him in the Futures Game this Sunday, extended his on-base streak to 68 games with a homer yesterday.

The Driller’s best hitter last week was Zyhir Hope, who set off his own fireworks to kick off July. Hope hit .519 with three doubles and three homers, added a pair of stolen bases and walked four times. The 21-year-old is now tied for the team lead in homers with Jake Gelof at 16. Gelof collected his 16th longball on Thursday.

Kendall George finally returned to the Drillers after a week’s worth of rehab games in Ontario. It’s great to see the speedy centerfielder back in action, as he singled a stole a base in his return on the 4th.

On the mound, Patrick Copen had his most promising outing since his 4th start of the season. Coming out of the pen, Copen pitched four hitless innings, walking a pair and striking out seven. Relief seems like a role he could thrive in.

Christian Zazueta made his second Double-A start and, outside of a solo homer, was dominant over four innings, striking out eight for the second straight game.

High-A Great Lakes

The power stroke is coming back for Eduardo Quintero, who homered twice last week to give him six on the year. He also stole a pair of bases, eclipsing the 30 steal mark for the third straight season.

Charles Davalan went 6 for 19 with a double, a triple and a home run. Most impressively, he drew nine walks, leading to a .536 OBP for the week. He now has 47 walks to 37 strikeouts on the year.

Chase Harlan, in his second week with the Loons, reached safely in all five games he played, collecting a double and five walks of his own. Emil Morales went just 4 for 22, though two of those hits were homers.

Samuel Munoz had a pair of homers. Victor Rodrigues batted .353 with some timely hits. Jose Meza had a five hit performance in the Loons’ 4th of July marathon loss.

Zach Root produced a quality start to begin the week, lasting six innings and striking out seven. The southpaw now has a 2.70 ERA in 43 ⅓ innings with 58 strikeouts.

Isaac Ayon, to the delight of Eric Stephen, made a pair of scoreless relief appearances, picking up two 3-inning saves in the same week. He pitched six innings, allowed just one hit and struck out eight.

Tyler Gough, making his second start in High-A, went another five shutout innings with six strikeouts. In nine starts this year, Gough has allowed just five runs while striking out 41 batters in 33 ⅓ innings.

Single-A Ontario

Mairoshendrick Martinus had an all or nothing week. He hit .300 with three home runs but also struck out 10 times. He also played every infield position, with a pair of starts at both short and third.

Easton Shelton batted .360 with his organization-leading 23rd home run. Since Chase Harlan was promoted to High-A, Shelton has been getting a good amount of playing time at third base, which will help his future value.

Ching-Hsien Ko had a solid week, hitting .304 with a double, a triple and his 13th HR. Landyn Vidourek also doubled, tripled, and hit his 8th homer.

22-year-old righty Will Gagnon made a couple appearances last week for the Tower Buzzers, combining for seven shutout innings, walking two and striking out nine.

Brady Smith allowed five runs in 3 ⅔ innings with 4 Ks. Hyun-Seok Jang gave up four runs (three earned) in 5 ⅓. Cam Leiter walked four in two innings.

Rookie Leagues

Perhaps the most impressive performance of the week belonged to 19-year-old righty Luis Gamez. The Mexico-native pitched 4 ⅔  innings for the Complex League club without allowing a hit and struck out 11. Apparently he’s up to 97 with his fastball and, if he keeps pitching like this, could join Ontario before the year is over.

21-year-old Agustin Acosta hit .556 last week with five doubles and a homer. Moises Bolivar hit .421 with a pair of doubles and his 9th tater in just 41 games. 

Down in the DSL, Fran-Jean Haseth had a two homer game on Friday, giving him six on the season. Antoni Urena went 5 for 11 with a triple and his 2nd homer of the season. 

The biggest note from the rookie ball side from last week was the ACL club’s outburst last Monday. They beat the ACL Angels 32-7, on 30 hits and 10 walks. It’s the most runs I’ve ever seen a Dodgers affiliate score in a single game.

About Jared Massey

Former co-host along with Dustin Nosler of the Award-eligible Dugout Blues podcast. Founder of the Greg Miller Marching and Chowder Society. Certified Prospect Hugger.
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