Mike Salas
Tulsa Drillers Jackson Ferris was the number 5 top ranked left-handed prospect pitcher in 2024. Ferris is a 6’4 20-year-old left-handed pitcher who was drafted in the second round by the Chicago Cubs in 2022. Ferris raised eyebrows his junior year at IMG Academy in Bradenton Florida when he tossed a no-hitter and a perfect game in his first two starts and later handed Andrew Painter (one of baseball’s top pitching prospects) his only loss of the season.
In January of 2024 the Los Angeles Dodgers traded Michae Busch and Yency Almonte to the Chicago Cubs for Jackson Ferris and OF Zyhir Hope. Ferris was sent to the Dodgers Single-A Great Lake Loons where he pitched the first half of the season before being sent up to Tulsa. Ferris came out in strong in his pro debut with the Loons with a 3.38 ERA, .179 opponent average and 77 strikeouts in 56 innings in Single-A. Ferris was also awarded player of the week and the Branch Richey minor league pitcher of the year with the Loons.
In August of 2024 Ferris was moved up to the Dodgers Double-A Tulsa Drillers where he established himself as dominate/reliable left-handed pitcher. With Tulsa, Ferris started seven games with 28.1 innings pitched, 26 strikeouts, .216 AVG, 1.27WHIP, and a 2.54ERA.
Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 45 | Overall: 55
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 has complicated mechanics that are not always in sync and cost him command and control issues.
Ferris has front-line starter capabilities and scouts have mentioned his “resemblance to Blake Snell at the same stage of his career, with superior stuff and mechanics“.
The future looks bright for Jackson Ferris and with the Dodgers need for a left-handed pitcher, don’t count out Ferris on making his debut in 2025 with the Dodgers.
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