With the 40th and 41st pick of the MLB Draft, the Los Angeles Dodgers made a bold statement by selecting pitcher Zachary Root and outfielder Charles Davalan, both hailing from the prestigious University of Arkansas baseball program. These selections, back-to-back and strategic, suggest a clear direction for the organization as it eyes both the present and future of its farm system. Root and Davalan are not just talented players—they are emblematic of a rising trend in player development: the prioritization of mental makeup, elite collegiate experience, and readiness to transition into professional baseball. For the Dodgers, who have maintained one of the most consistent pipelines of talent in the majors, these two picks serve as reinforcements to a philosophy that balances high-ceiling athleticism with proven performance.
Zachary Root is a name that’s been building buzz across the scouting world for several years now. The left-handed pitcher earned a reputation at Arkansas for being a fearless competitor on the mound. Not known for triple-digit velocity, Root instead mastered the art of deception, command, and pitch sequencing. What separates him from many other college arms is his ability to pitch like a veteran, adjusting game plans mid-inning and exploiting hitter weaknesses with surgical precision. His fastball, sitting in the low 90s, plays up due to elite spin rates and late life. But it’s his devastating changeup—arguably one of the best in the entire collegiate class—that had scouts salivating.
Root’s performance in the SEC, one of the most competitive conferences in college baseball, proved that he was more than ready for professional baseball. He logged over 100 innings in his junior season, finishing with a sub-3.00 ERA, over 120 strikeouts, and a WHIP under 1.00. Those are numbers that demand attention. Yet, beyond the stat sheet, it’s the poise, the mound presence, and the constant hunger to outthink hitters that likely sold the Dodgers on him. Root is not flashy in the way some fireballers are, but he’s efficient, reliable, and confident in his approach—traits that often translate well to the pro level. The Dodgers, a team that’s excelled at polishing pitching talent and maximizing every ounce of ability from their arms, will undoubtedly view Root as a project with enormous upside. With professional-level analytics and development resources at his disposal, Root could evolve into a mid-rotation starter within a few years—or potentially faster, given his polish and pitchability.
Then there’s Charles Davalan, the hard-hitting outfielder who’s taken a more meteoric rise through the draft radar. Known for his incredible bat speed and explosive athleticism, Davalan is a five-tool prospect who turned heads during his final collegiate season. He batted .338 with 20 home runs, 25 stolen bases, and a 1.030 OPS in 2025, showcasing not only his power but also his ability to get on base and make things happen once there. What makes Davalan even more intriguing is his defensive prowess. He’s a true center fielder with plus range, an above-average arm, and an aggressive, instinctive feel for tracking balls in the gap. His defensive upside is already pro-caliber, and he’s expected to hold his own in the outfield from day one in the minor leagues.
Davalan’s work ethic and on-field maturity also set him apart. He’s been described by Arkansas coaches as “the heartbeat of the locker room,” a player whose passion for the game inspires teammates. That kind of character matters in a 162-game grind, and the Dodgers—long believers in cultivating clubhouse leaders—will view his intangibles as a major asset. Offensively, Davalan’s swing is compact yet violent. He generates torque from his lower half and has shown the ability to hit both lefties and righties with authority. The concerns about swing-and-miss that once plagued his early college career have been minimized thanks to adjustments in his stance and a more disciplined two-strike approach.
The Dodgers have a recent history of turning these types of players into stars. Think of how they developed Mookie Betts, a multi-dimensional player who brought speed, power, defense, and leadership to the table. While Davalan may not reach that elite level immediately—if ever—he mirrors the same raw ingredients and makeup that Betts once had at a similar age. His versatility in the outfield also gives the Dodgers options, especially in a system already rich with high-upside players. Whether it’s right field or center, Davalan profiles as a long-term contributor with All-Star upside.
Together, Root and Davalan represent a microcosm of what the Dodgers have built: a relentless focus on player development, balance between risk and readiness, and a constant hunger to stay ahead of the competition. Neither player is a “project” in the traditional sense. They’re both coming from a winning program that has produced its share of Major Leaguers, and both are used to the pressure that comes with high expectations. Their selection at back-to-back spots in the draft was not coincidental; it was calculated. The Dodgers likely had both men high on their board and saw a rare opportunity to double down on Arkansas’s talent pool.
This decision is also a signal to the rest of the league: the Dodgers are not content to merely buy wins. They are investing in players who can become core pieces years down the road. In an age where payroll inflation, free agent volatility, and prospect hoarding dominate front office strategy, the Dodgers are playing the long game. Root and Davalan may not headline the 2025 season, but by 2027 or 2028, there’s a good chance both are pushing for meaningful MLB roles—perhaps even starting jobs on a playoff contender.
Root’s pathway likely begins in High-A, where he’ll be challenged by advanced hitters who won’t chase as much. It will test his command and sequencing, but those are battles he’s already fought in college. The biggest leap for him may be learning to consistently finish hitters—developing a third pitch that’s consistently above average, whether it’s a slider or a cutter, could be key. With his changeup already being plus, the ability to throw a sharper breaking ball will make him deadly against both sides of the plate. His ceiling is that of a solid number two or number three starter, but his floor is arguably a long reliever who can throw multiple innings—a valuable commodity in today’s game.
For Davalan, the road could move even quicker. His athleticism and defensive polish mean he could start in Double-A, with an eye toward the big leagues sooner than later. His hitting approach will determine the timeline—if he can continue making consistent contact against off-speed pitches and cut down on strikeouts, there’s no reason why he couldn’t be a September call-up by 2026. His power-speed combo, combined with elite defensive instincts, make him one of the most exciting outfield prospects in the Dodgers’ system now.
Both players also benefit from the Dodgers’ renowned player development infrastructure. Few organizations in baseball have mastered the marriage of data analytics and on-field coaching the way the Dodgers have. Pitchers learn to optimize their spin rates, study tunneling patterns, and perfect release points. Hitters are taught to recognize patterns, improve their timing windows, and strengthen swing mechanics. Root and Davalan will enter a system where every detail—from their nutrition to biomechanics—is optimized for success.
As the MLB Draft continues to evolve into a game of calculated investments and data-driven decisions, picks 40 and 41 may one day be remembered as the moment the Dodgers quietly stole two foundational players. While other franchises focused on high school upside or international prospects, Los Angeles doubled down on proven, elite college talent with immediate upside and strong developmental baselines. They didn’t need to swing for the fences—they just needed to find the right pieces to plug into their long-term vision.
Time will tell how Root and Davalan ultimately develop, but if history is any indicator, the Dodgers have once again threaded the needle between smart and daring. It’s not just about picking good players; it’s about picking the right players for your system. And once again, Los Angeles may have done exactly that.
