Jackson Ferris starts opening day for Double-A Tulsa

Reigning Branch Rickey Award winner as Dodgers minor league pitcher of the year starts opening day for the Drillers on Friday night.

Jackson Ferris, the Dodgers’ top pitching prospect still in the minor leagues, will start on opening day for the Tulsa Drillers on Friday night, headlining the rotation and the roster for the Double-A affiliate.

Ferris, acquired from the Cubs in the January 2024 Michael Busch trade, was the Dodgers’ minor league pitcher of the year last season, earning a Branch Rickey Award. He ended his season with a 2.54 ERA in seven starts with Tulsa, and now will start this year on the mound when the Drillers host Northwest Arkansas at ONEOK Field on Friday.

Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus, MLB Pipeline, and ESPN all named Ferris among the top 100 prospects in baseball entering 2025, and the left-hander was listed among the “just missed” outside the top 100 at The Athletic.

Also in the rotation for Tulsa are Jared Karros and Jacob Meador, starting Saturday and Sunday, respectively, as well as Jerming Rosario, and Peter Heubeck.

Ten of the 12 position players on the Drillers roster played in Double-A last season, including first baseman/outfielder John Rhodes, who was taken by the Dodgers in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 Draft from the Orioles in December.

Twelve of the 16 pitchers on the roster played in Double-A last season as well.

Veteran major league manager Eric Wedge was hired by the Dodgers in January to manage Double-A. The lone holdover on the coaching staff from 2024 is pitching coach Durin O’Linger.