Los Angeles Dodgers top pitching prospect Jackson Ferris has faced a challenging start to the 2025 season, experiencing a noticeable dip in performance compared to his impressive 2024 campaign. While still a highly touted talent, his numbers with the Double-A Tulsa Drillers have raised some questions.
After being acquired by the Dodgers in January 2024 from the Chicago Cubs, Ferris quickly established himself as a rising star. He earned Dodgers organization Pitcher of the Year honors in 2024, striking out 145 batters in 126.2 innings with a 2.54 ERA, including a strong finish in Double-A. This strong showing fueled high expectations for 2025, with many anticipating a potential big-league debut.
However, the 2025 season has presented a different picture. Through 10 appearances and 45.2 innings with the Tulsa Drillers, Ferris has posted a 5.52 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP. While he has still shown flashes of his potential, including strong fastball/slider combinations and an “80-grade competitor” mentality, his overall consistency has been an issue.
One of the primary factors contributing to Ferris’s struggles this year appears to be his “complicated and at times inconsistent delivery“. Scouts have long noted the many moving parts in his mechanics, which, while creating deception, can also hinder his ability to consistently locate pitches. Baseball America’s scouting report on Ferris highlights this, stating that his “complicated, contorting delivery has a lot of moving parts that cause him difficulty throwing strikes. His posture and balance are inconsistent, and his arm is often not where it needs to be at foot strike, leading to scattered command and control.” While he improved his command as 2024 progressed, it seems to have resurfaced as a challenge in 2025.
Additionally, Ferris spent time in 2024 focusing on developing a new, harder slider, which became a “plus offering.” However, his upper-70s downer curveball wasn’t as effective that year as he prioritized the slider. Upgrading his mid-80s changeup is also a point of emphasis for 2025, suggesting he’s continuing to refine his pitch mix. This ongoing development and adjustment of his arsenal, while beneficial in the long run, can sometimes lead to inconsistent results in the short term as a pitcher works to master new offerings and mechanics.
Scouting Report:
Fastball: Sits 92-95 mph, touches 97 mph. It has good extension, a flat approach angle, and carry, making it difficult for hitters to barrel up. Graded as a 60 (plus) offering.
Slider: A harder, tighter mid-80s slider that he developed with the Dodgers. It’s a “plus offering” and he throws it more easily for strikes. Graded as a 55 (above average) to 60 (plus).
Curveball: Upper-70s downer curveball with similar upside to his slider. It wasn’t as effective in 2024 as he focused on the new slider, but it’s considered a solid offering. Graded as a 55 (above average) to 60 (plus).
Changeup: Mid-80s changeup that shows flashes of becoming a solid offering. It needs more consistent fade and sink, and upgrading it has been a point of emphasis for 2025. Graded as a 50 (average) to 55 (above average).
Control: This is his primary area for improvement. He operates with a “complicated, contorting delivery” that has many moving parts and can get out of sync, leading to scattered command and control. His posture and balance can be inconsistent, and his arm is sometimes not where it needs to be at foot strike. While he’s shown improvement in repeating his delivery and throwing strikes as he gets stronger, it remains a challenge. Graded as a 40 (below average) to 45 (below average).
Makeup: Described as an “80-grade competitor” with advanced makeup.
Physical Comparisons: Has drawn physical comparisons to Blake Snell, with some noting he has “better stuff and mechanics at the same stage of their careers.”
Despite the current numbers, the Dodgers organization remains confident in Ferris’s future. Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes has publicly stated that he believes Ferris has been “far better than his surface level numbers,” emphasizing the strength of his fastball/slider combination and his advanced makeup. This suggests the Dodgers are focused on the underlying metrics and the long-term development of their promising southpaw.
While the 2025 season has presented Jackson Ferris with a learning curve, his talent and the organization’s continued belief in him indicate that these struggles are likely a temporary setback in his journey to the big leagues. Refining his delivery and fully integrating his developing pitch arsenal will be key to him returning to the dominant form he displayed in 2024.
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