2026 Dodgers Digest Preseason Top 40 Prospects – Dodgers Digest

Top #Dodgers OF prospect Josue De Paula just hit an absolute BOMB three-run homer in the Futures Game

He got a left-on-left slider from top prospect Noah Schultz and demolished it 108 mph off the bat pic.twitter.com/ILSKQbsBgI

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) July 12, 2025

Josue De Paula remains the top prospect in the Dodgers system. His approach is advanced far beyond his years and would be big-league ready immediately. He hits the ball hard despite the fact that he still hasn’t filled out all the way, meaning there’s still more thump to come.

De Paula got his first cup of coffee in Double-A last year after spending most of the season in Great Lakes. Across 98 games, he walked nearly as much as he struck out while posting a 142 wRC+. Speed is not a hallmark of his game, but he did steal 32 bases as well.

Another encouraging aspect of De Paula’s profile is how well he fares against same-handed pitching. He actually had reverse-splits in 2025 thanks to his ability to stay on (and drive) left-handed breaking balls. Right-handed changeups were an area of weakness he’ll look to improve on, but it’s much more common and concerning when left-handed hitters in his stage of progression struggle with southpaws; not the case for De Paula.

As has been his scouting report for years, the hope is for De Paula to simply be passable in the corner outfield, and there is work to be done to get there. He will never be a gold glover and might even have to move to first base or designated hitter. He’s only entering his age-21 season, so there’s plenty of time to figure the defense out. De Paula will likely spend all of 2025 in Double-A.

Top #Dodgers OF prospect Zyhir Hope hit a tank earlier tonight

This homer was 109 mph off the bat pic.twitter.com/tBbZfJqf89

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) August 23, 2025

Zyhir Hope is as strong as anyone in the Dodgers system, and when he connects with a ball, it leaves the bat hard and flies a long way. There’s enough swing-and-miss in his swing to cause concern, holding him back from eclipsing Josue De Paula for the No. 1 spot in the system.

The Dodgers have helped Hope progress his approach quite a bit since acquiring him, as he walked at a 15% clip in High-A. His power wasn’t always able to translate onto the field though, with a 27% strikeout rate limiting Hope to 13 homers across 121 games. He got called up to Double-A at the very end of the season and will start there again in 2026.

Hope is an athletic freak, pairing his double-plus raw strength with plus speed, a plus throwing arm and an average-or-better glove. He might even have a chance to stick in center field long-term, although he’s been mostly in the corners while being teammates with Kendall George and Eduardo Quintero. Hope’s upside is immense; envision a ceiling of 40 home runs, 20 stolen bases and viable center field defense. He just has to make enough contact to get there.

#Dodgers top prospect Eduardo Quintero gets the Loons on the board first with an opposite field HR. This is his second HR since being called up. #DOdgersProspects #LetsGoDodgers #dodgersbaseball pic.twitter.com/cWv5fAIDb3

— Dodgers_After_Duty (@msalas24) August 20, 2025

Eduardo Quintero burst onto the scene in 2025, moving himself from a young guy to keep an eye on to a blue-chip prospect. He’s a well-rounded player who combines a quality approach, advanced strike zone discipline and a level swing geared to hit line drives regularly.

It’s hard to believe now, but Quintero was signed originally as a catcher before the Dodgers quickly moved him to the outfield. He’s a plus runner with good outfield reads, making him a potential plus defender. His speed also works on the basepaths, where he stole 47 bases across 113 games last year.

Quintero is only entering his age-20 season, and he’ll spend at least the majority of it in High-A. The Venezuelan has experienced some trouble with right-handed breaking balls before which is something to keep an eye on as he moves up levels. He doesn’t have a crazy offensive ceiling, but if his hit and power production can sustain their trajectory towards average-or-better, his value as a speedy center fielder will make Quintero a WAR machine.

River Ryan gave up a home run, but was otherwise SUPER impressive. Fastball sat 96.3 and touched 98.5, and the slider was SIC.
2.2IP | 2H | 1R | 3Ks | 1BB

Dodgers fans are very excited about this young man, and rightfully so, but you have to understand that he’s coming off Tommy… pic.twitter.com/Naaiex1C7B

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) March 9, 2026

River Ryan was in line to start picking up meaningful big league innings down the stretch in 2024. His first cup of coffee with the Dodgers was going well before his elbow gave out, putting the UNC Pembroke alum on the shelf for all of 2025.

Now, Ryan has made his return to Camelback Ranch at full strength and will be a factor in Los Angeles this season. His stuff has all the look of a mid-rotation starter or better. The biggest test for Ryan will be whether he can stay healthy. As long as he’s on the mound, he is ready to fulfill a productive MLB role immediately.

Mike Sirota has crazy quick hands, evidenced by this swing on an 95 MPH fastball that was two balls up and in on the hands.

A/A+ numbers with college bats should be taken with a grain of salt, Sirota’s numbers in 59 games before going down with a knee injury were ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/iTSvnJQ5Bs

— Aram Leighton (@AramLeighton8) February 13, 2026

Mike Sirota was on a skyrocketing trajectory last year, performing among the best hitters in minor league baseball before a knee injury ended his season prematurely. He’s back healthy to begin 2026 and will look to extend his production across a full season of games.

Sirota has had the talent for a breakout like last year’s for a while. The Dodgers drafted him out of high school in 2021 but he went to Northeastern instead. After projecting as a potential first-rounder, he dealt with timing and whiff issues during draft year and fell to the Reds in the third round.

The Dodgers targeted Sirota and acquired him in the Gavin Lux ahead of his pro debut. He posted a 189 wRC+ across 59 games in Single-A and High-A before his injury, showing off plus raw pop and looking far too advanced for the lower minor leagues. He’s a good athlete who should stick in center field at an average-ish level. If he can stay on the field and prove contact won’t be an issue against better competition, he could have a future as an above-average regular.

Top #Dodgers SS prospect Emil Morales hit his 4th homer since being promoted to Single-A

The 18-year-old has a .999 OPS with Rancho Cucamonga pic.twitter.com/UVjnPxldRc

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) August 20, 2025

Emil Morales was the Dodgers’ top signee in the 2024 international class and he has lived up to the hype so far. After winning the Dominican Summer League MVP in 2024 and producing well in the Arizona Complex League last year, Morales got his first taste of Single-A, posting a 160 wRC+ across 30 games as an 18-year-old.

When he was signed, Morales had a hitch in his swing that the Dodgers have helped smooth out, but swing-and-miss is still a component of his game. That said, the Canary Islands native trades that whiff for some excellent thump. Even as a teenager, he can leave the yard to all fields with ease, and he still has room to fill out into potentially double-plus raw power.

Morales is a solid defender who has a chance to stick at shortstop. There won’t be gold gloves in his future, and there remains a possibility of an eventual move to third base, but his arm is above-average and he has the skills to stay on the left side of the infield. The dream here is for Morales to make enough contact to be a 30-homer shortstop, which is an incredibly lofty ceiling.

James Tibbs III unloads to get the @Dodgers back into the game.

The club’s No. 11 prospect hammers a 401 foot homer at Spring Breakout 💫 pic.twitter.com/5rYA3UBHq3

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 22, 2026

James Tibbs III had a whirlwind of a first season in the pros. After the Giants selected him 13th overall in 2024, he was dealt to Boston as the minor league centerpiece of the Rafael Devers trade. He didn’t stay there long, with the Red Sox sending him to L.A. in the Dustin May deal just ahead of last year’s trade deadline.

Tibbs had a turbulent season performance-wise to match all of his air miles. He performed well in High-A for the Giants, struggled mightily after being sent straight to Double-A by the Red Sox before getting back on track and playing well for Dodgers’ Double-A affiliate Tulsa. The Florida State alumni has an advanced approach that leads to a lot of walks, especially against younger competition.

The Dodgers are starting Tibbs in Triple-A this year, and especially following a Cactus League where he posted a 1.107 OPS, he is on track for a 2026 debut. The 23-year-old doesn’t have an astronomical ceiling, but has a low-risk projection of a platoon or everyday contributor. His defense is only passable; he can play in both corner outfield spots as well as first base. There were concerns with Tibbs’ ability to handle high-level southpaws coming out of the draft, so how he performs against lefties in Triple-A this season will help provide clarity on whether his big league future will be in a platoon or everyday role.

Alex Freeland with his first MLB homer! pic.twitter.com/VWugtyuBtw

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 23, 2025

Alex Freeland had a rough first go in the big leagues last year, but he still won the Opening Day second base job in MLB this spring (at least against right-handed pitchers). He won’t be a prospect much longer, so Freeland has a lot to prove in his second taste of the majors.

The UCF alumni is a switch-hitter but is much better from the left side. He’s got above-average raw power but wasn’t able to show it last year because of his swing-and-miss woes. Freeland struggled with fastballs at the top of the zone while whiffing at curveballs and changeups at a rate north of 60%.

This spring, the 24-year-old infielder has shown an even less aggressive approach than he has operated with before, which led to high walk numbers but low overall production. Freeland has a great eye at the plate, but he needs to become more aggressive inside the strike zone to prevent falling into the two-strike counts where secondaries gave him fits last year. As an above-average defender at second base and third base and an average defender at shortstop, Freeland does not need to hit a ton to have everyday value, but his whiff needs to be controlled with a refined approach for him to stick in the majors.

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

The Dodgers acquired Christian Zazueta in the Caleb Ferguson trade when Zazueta was only a wild-card arm in the Dominican Summer League. He’s developed well since, adding velocity and commanding a three-pitch mix nicely.

Zazueta started the Spring Breakout game this year after winning Dodgers Branch Rickey Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2025. Across 66 1/3 innings in Single-A, the Sonora, Mexico native totaled a 2.44 ERA, 30% strikeout rate and 6% walk rate. He has an above-average fastball that sits in the mid-90s to go with a slider and a changeup.

Zazueta will be Rule 5 eligible this offseason, so he will likely be given the chance to advance to Double-A so the Dodgers can decide whether they need to protect him or not. His command could eventually settle in the range of above-average or plus, giving him a No. 3 starter ceiling.

#Dodgers ‘25 1st-Round pick Zach Root made his official pro debut yesterday in the Spring Breakout game

3.0 IP
1 H
0 R
0 BB
8 K

His sinker averaged 92.8 mph in his last year of college… he was throwing a 4-seam yesterday that sat 97.2 mph & touched 99 ⛽️pic.twitter.com/lNUNRhnuNC

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) March 22, 2026

The Dodgers took Zach Root 40th overall last year and the rest of his draft year passed without a pro debut. Coming out of Arkansas, Root was a command-driven, low-to-mid 90s sinker type, looking like a high-likelihood backend starter. He wasn’t the typical Dodgers draft choice.

The first time Root pitched in a Dodgers uniform was in the Spring Breakout game this spring, and he looked like a completely different pitcher from his college days. The Dodgers have changed his primary fastball from a sinker to a four-seam which touched 99.4 mph. Root’s curveball, which was his best pitch in college, also looked even better: He threw it even more than his fastball and turned in three whiffs on five swings and seven called strikes (59% CSW).

Root reported straight to High-A for his full-season debut. His test will be whether this velocity and new, high-octane version of himself will actually translate into full starts. It will also be intriguing to monitor whether his command remains at the plus projection he had in college or if it ticks down thanks to his velocity gains. Either way, the Dodgers have transformed Root from a less-flashy backend projection to one of the most interesting arms in the system.

Top #Dodgers LHP prospect Jackson Ferris today for Tulsa:

7.0 IP
3 H
0 R
1 BB
7 K
97 P / 64 S

The Dodgers have given Ferris plenty of leash in his best outings this year, and this was certainly one of them pic.twitter.com/MsZgtPeymV

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) July 19, 2025

Jackson Ferris had a middle-of-the-pack 2025 pitching in Double-A. He was three and a half years younger than the average Texas Leaguer and struggled to begin the season. After posting a 6.58 ERA in his first 12 games, Ferris rebounded to a 1.95 ERA across his final 14 starts.

The former second-rounder doesn’t look like the high-ceiling prototype he once did, but Ferris has developed well to raise his floor since being acquired by the Dodgers. Ferris has shown durability and the ability to pitch into the seventh inning. A big part of his ceiling coming down a bit is his fastball, which hasn’t developed a movement profile above an average offering. He hides the ball well in his delivery and can locate it at the letters, which could help his heater still play to an above-average level.

Ferris’ slider is his best pitch. He uses it against both lefties and righties as his main secondary. His curveball and changeup both look like fringe-average offerings. Ferris is Rule 5 eligible this offseason, so the Dodgers will continue his stretching-out process after he threw 126 innings each of the last two seasons.

Charles Davalan has had THREE straight four-hit games for Rancho Cucamonga 🔥 pic.twitter.com/GFAOTmIlFB

— Milb Central (@milb_central) August 27, 2025

The Dodgers drafted Charles Davalan with their second of back-to-back picks at the end of round one last year. While his Arkansas teammate Root didn’t appear, Davalan reported to Single-A and lit Rancho Cucamonga on fire for eight games.

The 22-year-old struck out at only an 8.5% rate while batting .346 in his draft year, showing a potentially plus hit tool. He was clearly too advanced for Single-A and will likely open up 2026 with Great Lakes. Davalan doesn’t have much raw power, but he makes the most of it in games, totaling 24 homers across his final two college seasons.

Defensively, Davalan runs well and will get the chance to stick in center field. If that happens, it’s more likely he’ll be average than that he’ll be great, but a center fielder with plus hitting and an solid glove is still a quality ceiling to hope for.

Here’s the rest of Adam Serwinowski’s two-inning outing in an intrasquad game. The lefty is heralded to have one of the best fastballs in the organization.

He was dealt to the Dodgers from the Rays as part of a three-way deal in 2025. pic.twitter.com/htXekf422V

— Jesús Cano (@Jesus_Cano88) March 5, 2026

The Dodgers nabbed Adam Serwinowski at the trade deadline last year in the deal that sent Hunter Feduccia to the Rays. He got off to an excellent start with his new organization, posting a 1.83 ERA and 31% strikeout rate across 34 1/3 innings with High-A Great Lakes.

Serwinowski has a great fastball and slider pairing that will get him to the big leagues by themselves. His total value projection hinges on his command and changeup progression, which will both need to improve for the southpaw to reach his mid-rotation ceiling. The good news is, his fastball and slider are both at least plus pitches, so Serwinowski has great odds to pan out as a high-leverage reliever if he can’t stick in an MLB rotation.

His changeup is very raw and will likely be a focus in 2026 to develop. This will be his first full year in Double-A and should provide clarity on where he is at as a strike-thrower as well. The former 15th-round pick becomes Rule 5 eligible in December, so the Dodgers will likely look to stretch him out and test the boundaries of his ability to start.

Zach Ehrhard ties the game up with a two-run triple. #Dodgers #DodgersST Dodgers 4 Guardians 4 pic.twitter.com/PsA8ze5ZvR

— Dodgers_After_Duty (@msalas24) March 3, 2026

Zach Ehrhard also came over to the Dodgers from Boston in the Dustin May deal, a trade that is looking like a steal. Ehrhard has less offensive upside than Tibbs, but he has more athleticism and defensive value. He is in a similar place in his progression as a college bat who has moved through the minors quickly and will open his second full professional season in Triple-A.

Ehrhard had a great spring training as a non-roster invitee and could debut in 2026. He looks like a low-risk prospect to reach at least a fourth-outfielder floor, where his speed and ability to play all three outfield spots would play well. If he can hit enough, he could become an average everyday regular.

Marlon Nieves turned in a good start last night for Rancho.
5IP | 2H | 1R | 4Ks | 2BB

Marlon Nieves turned in a good start last night for Rancho, and he has pretty much dominated this year. He has posted an ERA of just 2.70, a WHIP of just 1.11, and has 91 Ks in 80 innings.… pic.twitter.com/QVsmJfAZse

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) August 28, 2025

Marlon Nieves is young and raw, but he had an excellent transition from the DSL to pitching stateside last year. After posting a 3.23 ERA and 15.6 K-BB% in the ACL, he made his first eight Single-A starts, totaling a 2.21 ERA and 12.4 K-BB%.

Nieves throws two fastballs, but his best is easily his two-seam, which has good action diving down and arm-side. He touched sat mid-90s while touching 99 mph last year and is still pretty thin, so he still could add more consistent strength and velocity. The Dominican Republic native throws a slider that wasn’t always consistent but flashed at least plus while carving through rookie-ball hitters. If Nieves can throw strikes and develop his changeup, he has a No. 3 starter ceiling.

Congratulations to Kendall George, who stole FOUR bases last night and reached 100 on the year. That’s the 1st time since 2011 that a player has eclipsed the 100 stolen base mark, and the person who did it was Billy Hamilton, so he’s in ELITE territory.

It’s one thing to have… pic.twitter.com/rOYNsQtufP

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) September 5, 2025

Kendall George stole 100 bases last year. This bio could end there. He is a fantastic runner who makes the most of his speed at the plate and once he reaches base. He is a great bunter and regularly tallies infield singles, even with batted ground balls.

George is coming along with his reads defensively as well and is on track to be an above-average defender in center field. He has added some strength and hit three home runs last year; if he starts to find more gaps as well he could establish himself as a future everyday center fielder. He could conceivably debut as a late-season bench call-up as soon as 2027.

Kellon Lindsey showed off his speed to start the game last night for Rancho, then nailed one to Right Center. Hard ground balls to put pressure on the defense, line drives to the opposite field, is a great setup for someone with 80-grade speed.

Lindsey is hitting .279, OPS… pic.twitter.com/5RnqX7VAil

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) April 20, 2025

Injuries limited Kellon Lindsey to 32 games in his pro debut, and his performance was unencouraging. The 2024 first rounder turned in a 32% strikeout rate in 142 Single-A plate appearances, showing a overly passive approach and struggling to make contact with fastballs. He still reached base at a .394 clip, but the whiff issues overshadowed his appeared production.

Lindsey is still an 80-grade runner rivaling George for the fastest player in the system. He’ll look to have a full 2026 in Single-A to work on his offensive shortcomings. Defensively, Lindsey is still working to stay at shortstop, with an eventual move to the outfield to let his speed play remaining a possibility.

14. Ching-Hsien Ko – OF – A

Ko has received comps to the likes of former Dodger Cody Bellinger, and has a plus hit tool with a plus arm to pair from the outfield. This year between two levels, he slashed .310/.437/.439 with 91 hits in 85 games. pic.twitter.com/m57eAKwLfn

— Inside The Diamond (@InsideTheDiamnd) September 16, 2025

Ching-Hsien Ko lit up the radar after dominating the ACL last summer, but his performance cooled off after moving up to Single-A for the final month of the season. He was too ground-ball heavy and got some batted ball luck to help his .367 average in rookie-ball.

The Taiwanese outfielder could have fringe-average or average tools across the board. A well-rounded profile is his best chance to develop into a big leaguer. Ko’s batted-ball discrepancy doesn’t look like he’ll take full advantage of his plus raw power, but he does have a good eye to boost his on-base ability. He’s best suited for the corner outfield and he possesses an above-average throwing arm.

Chase Harlan gets the LFG of the day!
Harlan was just recently promoted to Rancho, and hit a towering, monstrous home run in just his 2nd at bat.

This dude is strong, and has a ton of power potential, and showcased by last nights 404 foot BOMB.

Atta Baby Chase! #dodgers pic.twitter.com/QjXHYiaGDm

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) July 26, 2025

Chase Harlan is one of, if not the single best power-hitting prospects in the system. He already has plus pop and could grow into double-plus raw power over the next few years. Harlan’s challenge will always be bringing that thump into games, where his swing-and-miss will limit how many balls he can hit hard.

The Pennsylvania native has only fringe-average foot speed and fielding ability. He could have a chance to stick at third base, but it is a very real possibility Harlan’s future defensive home will end up being first base or the corner outfield.

Super pumped to have Landyn Vidourek on my side for a change. Last time I saw Vidourek play, he was wearing OSU out in Cincinnati. He went 4 for 6 in the Friday and Saturday games, so I got tired of watching him come to the plate.

OSU couldn’t get him or Carrington Cross out,… pic.twitter.com/MjPGYvu05g

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) August 26, 2025

Landyn Vidourek is a superb athlete who may have the best power-speed combination in the system. His shortcoming, like many prolific power hitters, is contact. His best tools are dreamy, though; plus raw power, plus speed and a double-plus throwing arm in the outfield. Vidourek is the kind of prospect who could gain helium fast if he finds an adjustment to make consistent contact.

Say his name and he appears.

Ontario believes in Joendry (Vargas).

The Dodgers prospect goes deep for the Tower Buzzers. pic.twitter.com/ahIUrFLuHT

— Jesús Cano (@Jesus_Cano88) April 5, 2026

Joendry Vargas struggled across only 29 games in his first taste of Single-A, dealing with a wrist injury and only batting .221. Vargas has lost the shine of his $2 million signing bonus, but he’s not a bust yet. The Santo Domingo native still has room to add to his frame to become a power hitter. Contact looks like an issue though, and this will be a big year for Vargas to make adjustments to get back on track. He has a cannon of an arm and should stick on the left side of the infield.

Ryan Ward went yard for OKC pic.twitter.com/FOnZm50lMK

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) April 3, 2026

Ryan Ward has lit up the leaderboard in Triple-A for multiple years now but has yet to get an MLB chance. It looked like 2025 could be it for his time as a Dodger, but instead LA rostered him in the offseason before sending him back to Oklahoma City again. Ward is as MLB-ready as he’ll ever be, with power that should play decently, but a fringe-average profile outside of that. He’s best suited long-term for an MLB role with a team who can provide regular at-bats without championship expectations.

Kyle Hurt is healthy, and he’s ready to make an impact. He’s looked GREAT so far in Spring Training! Today he threw another scoreless inning & his fastball sat 96.6, touched 97.3 & his change up looked good too. #dodgers #dodgersprospects pic.twitter.com/T6HUjHp6dd

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) March 5, 2026

Kyle Hurt made his MLB debut with one game in 2023 but hasn’t been able to stay on the field since. He made it back from Tommy John surgery briefly for a rehab assignment at the end of last year, but the Dodgers never brought him up. Hurt was optioned to Triple-A again to start this year, and the Dodgers have fully committed to him as a reliever moving forward. On the bright side, he still has an upper-90’s fastball with good action and a double-plus changeup, and his commitment to the relief role means he barely has to throw anything other than those two offerings. Hurt will mix in as at worst an innings filler or at best a high-leverage arm moving forward.

This pitch by Sterling Patick last night ⬇️

5 IP
58 Pitches
7 Ks
0 BBs
9 Whiffs
7 GBs

Patick with an excellent start to 2026! pic.twitter.com/tcczEsWhtH

— Austin Brubaker (@AustinBru99) April 4, 2026

A local product, the Dodgers took Sterling Patick out of South Hills High School in West Covina. He’s developed nicely across his two full years as a pro, making the Opening Day start for Great Lakes this season. He’s got a five-pitch mix that turned in a 27% strikeout rate in Single-A last year, led by an above-average slider and curveball that performed great against his competition. His fastball isn’t overpowering, which, along with fringe-average command, could force a bullpen role long-term.

A fantastic showing from Cam Leiter tonight vs. Storm:

3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 44 PC

The 65th overall pick from the 2025 draft class locked up the opposing offense in his first professional outing. pic.twitter.com/6Zi7IGdw8v

— DodgersLite (@dodgerslite) April 4, 2026

Cam Leiter was a Dodger-trademark rehab draftee, going 65th overall last year out of Florida State. Cousin of current MLB hurlers Mark Leiter Jr. and Jack Leiter, and the nephew of former MLB southpaw Al Leiter, Cam has a lot of familial success to live up to. His fastball flashed plus or better with a pair of quality breaking balls before a shoulder issue ended Leiter’s time as a Seminole. If he doesn’t make it as a starter, Leiter has the kind of high-octane stuff that could play in relief.

After walking the leadoff batter, Brady Smith struck out the next three to end the second.

He has four strikeouts through two. pic.twitter.com/4mQlNiAlmx

— DodgersLite (@dodgerslite) April 3, 2026

Brady Smith has made his way back from elbow surgery recovery and can fully launch into his pro career in 2026. The Tennessee native is a spin-heavy right-hander with good secondaries and a chance to develop as a starter. His fastball rides from a lower slot up to the top of the zone with good action, and his hammer curveball plays well off of it. If Smith can command his four pitches, all of which are average-or-better, he could be a No. 3 starter.

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

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) August 14, 2024

Noah Miller is a polished shortstop defender with a bat that lags behind his glove. The former Twins draftee probably won’t hit enough for an everyday role with the Dodgers, but his defense is good enough to potentially play regularly for a less competitive team while batting at the bottom of the order. With a better team like the Dodgers, Miller is suited for a utility role as a defensive replacement.

Patrick Copen was nearing his pitch limit in ↑5th inning when a single and 2 BB loaded the bases. Big name prospect Ethan Salas comes up. After getting him 0-2, Copen fired the high heat to strike him out looking to end the inning

Copen’s day:
5 IP
2 H
0 ER
3 BB
8 K pic.twitter.com/sbLOdVgnGu

— ∞ The Infinite Dodger ∞ (@InfiniteDodger) April 5, 2026

Patrick Copen already has a huge success story, returning from a comebacker that took away his vision in his right eye in 2024 to throw 117 2/3 innings with a 3.59 ERA last year. His stuff is excellent, led by a fastball that has touched 100 with good action and borders on double-plus territory. His two breaking balls, a slider with depth and a tighter cutter, and both above-average to plus as well. Copen is unlikely to start long-term short of a significant increase in command, but he could be a late-innings weapon.

#Dodgers SS Aidan West had a fun first inning. He opened the game with an excellent play up the middle, then ripped a mid-90s heater for a single. pic.twitter.com/XB1FbdvSwn

— Josh Norris 🐻 (@jnorris427) March 21, 2026

The Dodgers drafted Aidan West in the fourth round last year and were able to sign him away from NC State with a $1.27M bonus. He’s a talented but raw shortstop with a frame that could fill into plus raw power. The Maryland native had swing-and-miss hiccups at times on the prep circuit, which will be something to watch in his first professional action. He will have a chance to stick at short but a third base or second base move might be necessary long-term.

Luke Fox…DAYUM!
Talkin’ about makin’ a SPLASH in your 1st outing of the year.
6IP | 3H | 1R | 8Ks | 0BB
I mean, where do you start? 1 run in 6 innings is awesome, 8 Ks is awesomer, and 0 walks might be the awesomest. Sweeping breaking ball was BIG, but he also had “subtle”… pic.twitter.com/2VwzbzW2z9

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) April 3, 2026

Luke Fox is looking like a Dodgers development success. He was drafted in the 17th round out of Duke while rehabbing from elbow surgery. Now, Fox is a cross-firing southpaw with a fastball that runs in the mid-90’s and a breaking ball that he can throw a couple different ways. The loopy version plays like an above-average sweeper with a ton of depth; the tighter version is a cutter. Both breakers can be used in all matchups. Fox could be a backend starter if he throws enough strikes or, if not, a bullpen arm that is particularly difficult on lefties.

Oliver González pic.twitter.com/B6pkg9mwgw

— Follow @bnicklaus7 (@burce_media) April 5, 2026

The Dodgers acquired Oliver González as part of the Tommy Edman deal in 2024, the same year he was signed by St. Louis. He started 11 games in his first full DSL season with the Dodgers, making the All-Star team and finding good results. He’s a physical righty whose fastball leads his arsenal. González will head stateside in 2026 with the chance to climb lists fast if his stuff looks good.

Check out the changeups from Hyun-Seok Jang to record his 1st strikeout & last out of the 1st inning of his last outing Friday. That pitch is ++ in and of itself, but paired with a good fastball in the 96 range, and a 4-pitch mix makes it super effective. Jang also features a… pic.twitter.com/cjdqiOB3tw

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) May 12, 2025

Hyun-Seok Jang has been in the system for 2.5 years now without the takeoff that was expected. That doesn’t mean it still couldn’t arrive, but Jang has struggled badly with his command the last two seasons. The Changwon, South Korea native still has an excellent arsenal of stuff; a plus fastball and three secondaries that flash plus. For that reason, Jang’s strikeout numbers have remained high and he hasn’t allowed a ton of hits, but his walk rate of 18% last year held him back from reaching High-A. At this point, the 22-year-old righty’s progression might need to be accelerated with a move to the bullpen to stay on track with his 2027 Rule 5 Draft timeline.

Luis Carias might be my pick for the underrated pitcher of the year pic.twitter.com/tEjR9GZEjf

— DodgersLite (@dodgerslite) April 3, 2026

Luis Carias was signed under-the-radar in the 2023 class and hasn’t had much on field success since. However, his arsenal of a mid-90’s fastball, solid slider and usable changeup, plus decent command throughout the mix, looks like the mold of a backend starter. He’ll look for the results to start translating across his first full year in Single-A.

Ronan Kopp…LFG!
Kopp threw a scoreless inning yesterday in relief of Sasaki and has yet to give up a run for the ENTIRE Spring Training, and that spans 7 innings.

Kopp sat 94.9, but, not surprisingly, threw more sliders than he did fastballs. His slider is LEGIT! It changes… pic.twitter.com/6MARr2gxzf

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) March 24, 2026

The Dodgers added Ronan Kopp to the 40-man roster in the offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, demonstrating their belief he will be ready to contribute in relief this season. A JuCo product, Kopp has filthy stuff coming from a 6-foot-7, 250 pound frame, posting huge strikeout numbers every level he’s reached in the minor leagues. That said, his walk numbers have also been huge, leading to doubt about how effective he really could be at the MLB level. Kopp’s ability to force swing-and-miss is on the level of a door-slammer, but he will probably serve a mid-relief role due to his struggles to find the zone.

Jakob Wright is typically 93-96. Today, he was at the top end of that scale several times, and he paired that with a slider that hit the back door and a slurve that got underneath barrels.

3IP 2H 0R 3Ks 1BB

Wright was very impressive with his locations with his fastball and… pic.twitter.com/cS92t9fLX3

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 15, 2025

Jakob Wright only totaled 27 in his first pro season spread between Single-A and the Arizona Fall League due to a pair of injuries. Still, his stuff took a jump from where it was as a draft-eligible sophomore at Cal Poly SLO, with a fastball consistently rising into the mid-90’s. Wright’s slider is easily plus with his curveball just behind it, but both are very effective. The Baldwin Park native will need to throw more strikes and prove he can be durable, but he has a starter’s arsenal.

Fellow #Dodgers infielder Reyli Mariano showed he could put the barrel on velocity as well. pic.twitter.com/ugMzsTIm8h

— Josh Norris 🐻 (@jnorris427) March 21, 2026

Reyli Mariano had a great two seasons in the DSL and will be moving stateside as a player to watch. He’s a switch-hitting middle infielder from the Dominican Republic who signed as part of the 2024 class. After walking more than he struck out, stealing 30 bases and driving in 49 across two DSL circuits, Mariano will have a chance to move up boards fast if he translates gracefully to Arizona. He’s only 5-foot-7 but has a pretty stroke from an open stance and makes the most of the power he has.

‼️ ELIJAH HAINLINE FROM THE TOP ROPE ‼️ pic.twitter.com/deueaBzDsB

— Great Lakes Loons (@greatlakesloons) August 9, 2025

An Oregon State alum, Elijah Hainline had a graceful transition into his first full-season as a pro. The 2024 seventh rounder put up an .835 OPS mostly between Single-A and High-A (plus one series in Triple-A when the Comets desperately needed a temporary infielder). He will likely run into more swing-and-miss in the upper-levels, but he has above-average raw pop and makes flashy plays in the middle infield. Hainline is probably a utility-infield type, but if he smooths the edges to his game on both sides of the ball, he isn’t too far from a passable everyday profile.

6’10” Paul Gervase has had 7 outings in Spring Training, and SIX of them have been scoreless. To show how good his stuff can be, many times, Gervase tells his catcher to set up Middle/Middle, and that’s where he aims, then he just lets the movement of the pitch do the work.

The… pic.twitter.com/XfZbs51Esq

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) March 13, 2026

Paul Gervase only got into one game with the Dodgers last year after being acquired from Tampa Bay at the deadline, but he should figure into the bullpen shuttle between Triple-A and MLB this year. He’s a 6-foot-10 right-hander whose fastball plays up from its 93 mph velocity because of his extension down the mound. Gervase’s breaking balls are more average than good and he lacks command, likely limiting him to a middle relief role.

6’10” Paul Gervase has had 7 outings in Spring Training, and SIX of them have been scoreless. To show how good his stuff can be, many times, Gervase tells his catcher to set up Middle/Middle, and that’s where he aims, then he just lets the movement of the pitch do the work.

The… pic.twitter.com/XfZbs51Esq

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) March 13, 2026

Wyatt Crowell has found success in his results so far as a pro, but his fastball hasn’t read great and he’s struggled with command. His slider is far and away his best pitch, and it’s his go-to against both handiness of batters but especially dominant against lefties. The Florida State alumni could have a path to the majors as a No. 5 starter or as a lefty-specialist reliever depending on the development of his fastball and strike throwing.

BASEBALL IS AWESOME…Moment of the Day!
Brendan Tunink hit a home run in his FIRST at bat in affiliated baseball, and it was ALSO the 1st home run in the history of the ONT field in Ontario. Wow…what a memory to have made!

Tunink is a super-talented young man who has a… pic.twitter.com/JRy0bStN1H

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) April 3, 2026

The Dodgers drafted Brendan Tunink as an athletic prep flyer, and he fit that bill in the ACL last summer. Producing a .967 OPS but striking out at a 30% rate, Tunink showed off plus raw power and speed but a lot of in-zone whiff. He has plenty of speed to stick in center field, so his profile will revolve around if he can make enough contact to move up through the system.