How Dodgers new prospects from Cubs trade fit into team’s long-term picture

Pitcher Jackson Ferris joins Dodgers as their fifth-ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline

Before he left the Cubs, Ferris was their No. 8 prospect after being drafted in the second round of the of the 2022 Draft and performing well in Low-A. He pitched 56 innings for a 3.38 ERA with a three-pitch arsenal (fastball, changeup, curve). MLB Pipeline evaluated his 92-95 MPH fastball as his strongest pitch, but described all three as plus.

The rub with Ferris seems to be with his walk rate, a pretty brutal 5.3 BB/9, but his sample size is still small and it's undoubtedly been flagged as an area for improve for him as he works his way through the minors.

Ferris lands at No. 5 with the Dodgers, behind two pitchers with currently on the major league roster in Nick Frasso (No. 3) and Gavin Stone (No. 4). Ferris is also only one of five left-handed pitchers in the Dodgers' top 30, and the only one in their top 10. Although he still has some years to go before he's major league ready, he's an exciting development for a team that clearly does well with high-end pitching talent they can develop from an early age.

Want to feel even better about the deal? Look at the way Cubs fans feel about it. That's typically a solid indicator.