MLB Pipeline Has High Praise for New Dodgers Prospect Jackson Ferris

The Dodgers might have won the Michael Busch trade.

The Dodgers traded away former first-round draft pick Michael Busch on Thursday, along with reliever Yency Almonte to free up 40-man roster space. In return, the Dodgers received a pair of prospects: outfielder Zyhir Hope and left-handed pitcher Jackson Ferris.

Considering Busch was recently the No. 2 prospect in the Dodgers' system, this might seem like a light return. However, baseball industry veterans with an eye on the minor leagues have praised Ferris, believing he could develop into a premier pitcher someday. 

Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline wrote Thursday that Ferris could become the game's top left-handed pitching prospect.

Glad to see Busch get a clear shot at playing time with the @Cubs -- he will hit. Intrigued to see how Ferris continues to develop with the @Dodgers -- might be the game's top LHP prospect in the future. Hope is an intriguing @MLBDraft sleeper. https://t.co/KUmzQ7mM91

— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) January 11, 2024

Ferris, who turns 20 on Jan. 15, has only one year in the minor leagues under his belt in the Low-A Carolina League. In 18 starts with the Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Pelicans, Ferris had a 3.38 ERA with 77 strikeouts in 56 innings compared to 33 walks.

Listed at 6-foot-4, Ferris has a mid-90s fastball, a curveball, a slider, and a changeup. With these tools and stature, he certainly has a chance to work his way up the ranks quickly.

Ferris has a chance to move up the minor league ladder to the High-A level in 2024 – if not at the outset of the regular season, then at some point during the year. 

The Dodgers do not have to add Ferris to the 40-man roster for another four seasons. By virtue of his age at the time he was chosen in the second round of the 2022 draft, Ferris would not be eligible for the Rule 5 Draft until 2027. 

In the meantime, it will be exciting to watch Ferris' repertoire evolve. Until then, full grades on the Dodgers' most recent trade will have to wait.