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Not only are the Dodgers built to win in the present, as the back-to-back champs will vie for a three-peat next season, but they're well-positioned to keep their competitive window open for years to come. For all the stars on the Dodgers' roster, several rookies were key at various stages of their title defense. Some made their largest impact during the regular season, such as Jack Dreyer, Ben Casparius, Edgardo Henriquez, Dalton Rushing, Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland. Others had huge performances during the postseason, such as Roki Sasaki, Will Klein and Justin Wrobleski. When MLB Pipeline last ranked the farm systems of all 30 Major League teams, the Dodgers came in first. They have seven of the Top 100 overall prospects, led by 20-year-old outfielders Josue De Paula (No. 13) and Zyhir Hope (No. 20). De Paula and Hope finished 2025 with Double-A Tulsa and are getting closer to becoming options for the Dodgers, although that probably won't be a reality until late '26. Before their arrival, other prospects in the organization should get opportunities to make an impact earlier next season. |
Here are three prospects to watch: RHP River Ryan (No. 9 Dodgers prospect, per MLB Pipeline)
Ryan got his first taste of big league action in 2024, allowing three earned runs in 20 1/3 innings (1.33 ERA) in four starts before undergoing Tommy John surgery. After spending all of the past season rehabbing, Ryan should have a normal year ahead of him. Back in 2024, Ryan was called up sooner than expected because of injuries in the Dodgers' rotation. Entering this spring, L.A. is expected to have more healthy starters than spots in a six-man rotation, setting up a competition for the final couple of spots. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani are the locks. Sasaki and Emmet Sheehan would appear to have the inside track for the other two spots, but Gavin Stone is also returning after missing 2025 due to shoulder surgery. With the 27-year-old Ryan also in the mix, these four candidates could make setting the Opening Day rotation a tricky decision for the Dodgers. Regardless of how things shake out, whoever doesn't make the rotation should get opportunities at some point. |
OF Ryan Ward (not ranked)
Ward might not be one of MLB Pipeline's Top 30 Dodgers prospects, but the 27-year-old put together a Pacific Coast League MVP-winning campaign with Triple-A Oklahoma City this past season. He was added to the 40-man roster for the first time earlier this month, one step closer to the Majors. General manager Brandon Gomes told reporters at the GM Meetings last week that Ward is expected to get an opportunity at the big league level next season. He could be part of the solution to the Dodgers' need in the outfield, adding a lefty bat to a righty-dominant position group. One question surrounding Ward is why he was not called up this past season, when the Dodgers weathered offensive inconsistency and left fielder Michael Conforto struggled. Ward does not rate highly as a defender, and the need for a corresponding move to add him to the 40-man roster was another factor at play. He has a spot now, and the opportunity is there for the taking. |
LHP Ronan Kopp (not ranked)
The last time the Dodgers protected a little-known lefty reliever from the Rule 5 Draft, it was Dreyer, who became one of their most reliable bullpen pieces in 2025. Not to say that the same will be true for the 23-year-old Kopp, but it's worth keeping an eye on him now that he is on the 40-man roster. Kopp began this past season in Double-A and ended it in Triple-A, combining for a 3.43 ERA across 49 appearances. He struck out 91 against 42 walks in 57 2/3 innings. If he can get a handle on his command, might he be able to win a spot in the Dodgers' bullpen? One factor working against Kopp is roster construction. The Dodgers typically carry a pretty balanced bullpen, but they already have five lefty relief options on the 40-man: Anthony Banda, Dreyer, Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia and Wrobleski. Bullpens are volatile, though. So if Kopp remains on an upward trajectory, he could position himself as one of the first arms up when the big league club comes calling. |
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MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
"Freddie is a really good athlete. He's a really good dancer, obviously, hitting all the doubles and whatnot. Seeing him get down -- it's just a big body getting down there, but he looked graceful doing it." -- Mookie Betts, on Freddie Freeman doing the worm |
• The late, great Fernando Valenzuela is on the Contemporary Baseball Era ballot for the Hall of Fame. MLB.com reporter Manny Randhawa made a case for his election. More >> • Both Ward and Kopp made MLB Pipeline's list of 10 intriguing non-ranked prospects added to 40-man rosters ahead of the Rule 5 Draft. More >> • Upcoming documentary "Homecoming: The Tokyo Series" centers around the season-opening series between the Dodgers and Cubs to explore the intersection of baseball and culture in Japan. More >> |
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