The Los Angeles Dodgers made a subtle, but potentially impactful move by trading Michael Busch and Yency Almonte to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Jackson Ferris and Zyhir Hope.
Busch will have an opportunity to earn significant playing time with the Cubs as he was blocked with the Dodgers due to lineup mainstays. The big return heading to Los Angeles is Ferris, a young, tall, left-handed arm who presents quite the arsenal.
Ferris posted a 2-3 record with a 3.38 ERA in 18 appearances for Single-A Myrtle Beach last season, striking out 77 batters over 56 innings. He limited opposing hitters to 35 hits.
The 20-year-old was also named as a top-10 left-handed pitching prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline for the 2024 season. He is also ranked with a 55-grade and MLB Pipeline projects he could end up being an ace in a rotation:
When his delivery is right, Ferris can miss bats in the strike zone with a variety of pitches, starting with a 92-95 mph fastball that reaches 97 with a flat approach angle and excellent carry. He entered pro ball with a 75-78 mph curveball with downer break, and Chicago helped him add a 79-82 mph slider with sweep, and both are at least solid offerings. His mid-80s changeup with fade shows similar promise.
Ferris doesn’t always keep his complicated mechanics in sync, which costs him control and command, but he does have the athleticism to make them work and they do create deception. Adding strength to his projectable 6-foot-4 frame could add some needed power to his breaking balls and help him do a better job of locating his pitches more consistently. He has frontline-starter ceiling and resembles Blake Snell at the same stage of their careers, albeit with better stuff and a cleaner delivery.
Ferris checks in at No. 7 overall on MLB Pipeline’s list.
At the top was Kyle Harrison (San Francisco Giants) and he’s followed by Rickey Tiedman (Toronto Blue Jays), Robby Snelling (San Diego Padres), Noah Schultz (Chicago White Sox), Anthony Solometo (Pittsburgh Pirates) and Carson Whisehunt (Giants).
Trailing Ferris are Thomas White (Miami Marlins), Robert Gasser (Milwaukee Brewers) and Jordan Wicks (Cubs).
According to the MLB Pipeline scouting report, Ferris possesses three above-average pitches led by his four-seam fastball. He also sports a 55-grade curveball and a changeup.
In 2023, Ferris was ranked as the No. 8 prospect in the Cubs farm system.
Jackson Ferris still a few years out
Because he was drafted out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, Ferris isn’t as polished as a college arm. The big upside for the Dodgers is that he is still very young.
The Cubs signed him for $3,005,000 after drafting him in the second round.
Within the Dodgers’ system, he joins fellow left-handed pitchers, Maddux Bruns, Ronan Kopp and Justin Wrobleski, who all rank within their top-20 prospects.
Ferris isn’t projected to reach MLB until the 2026 season, and barring a breakout in that time, he may be brought along slower than that.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
