LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers went pitcher-heavy in the draft, selecting 14 hurlers in total. While it would be a long shot for any of those pitchers to rise through the minor league ranks in time for this season, the move does make sense considering the injury-laden state the Los Angeles pitching staff is in.
Leading the way for the Dodger's pitcher-heavy draft class in their first-round pick, LHP Zach Root, whom they took 30th overall. Root profiles as the pitcher with the highest upside among the Dodgers' draft class. Root struck out 123 batters in just over 99 innings during his senior season at the University of Arkansas. Root may not boast an overwhelming fastball, but his pitch mix makes him hard to predict and his off-speed pitches, notably his changeup and curveball, give him tremendous upside in a starter role.
Other pitchers selected by the Dodgers that especially standout are right handed pitchers Davion Hickson and Mason Estrada, drafted in the fifth and seventh rounds respectively. Both Hickson and Estrada present with raw power and impressive off-speed arsenals that could thrive in bullpen roles. Hickson, coming out of Rice University, has the closer path to the big leagues compared to the green high school draftee Estrada.
Los Angeles kept piling on pitching talent, at one point selecting six pitchers in a row between rounds 10 and 15. They didn't just load up on talent on the mound, however. One notable position player selected by the Dodgers was outfielder Charles Davalan, selected with the 41st overall pick out of the University of Arkansas. Davalan is a standout outfield talent with an undersized but athletic build. Davalan boast a surprising amount of pop for his five-foot-nine frame, and can stand to add muscle and power as he develops in the minor leagues.
Shortstop Aidan West was the product of the Dodgers fourth round selection. West is one of the least experienced players picked up by the Dodgers, coming out of Long Reach High School in Maryland, but his natural offensive tool kit and strong arm on defense present tremendous upside for the young infielder. West struggled with swinging through off-speed pitches, but with time and the opportunity to grow in the Los Angeles system an increase in plate discipline can yield a high amount of offensive success for West.
The Dodgers invested strongly in their future with the 2025 MLB Draft. By filling existing holes seen at the major league level and providing a strong base of position players with a new generation of talent, the Dodgers farm system, which consistently ranks among the top-five in baseball, got even better.