Surprise Dodgers Prospect Named Hottest Pitcher in Organization

MLB. com’s Jim Callis, Sam Dykstra and Jonathan Mayo chose right-hander Christian Zazueta as the hottest pitching prospect in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ organization. Zazueta, who currently pitches for the High-A Great Lakes Loons, signed with the New York Yankees as an international free agent in 2022, and came to the Dodgers ahead of the 2024 season alongside southpaw Matt Gage in the trade which sent left-hander Caleb Ferguson the opposite way.

The right-hander made just one appearance in High-A last season, but managed a 2. 44 ERA through 16 starts with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. His numbers in his first full season of High-A ball this year are a little puzzling, but he’s showing tons of promise despite allowing a few runs per outing.

“Zazueta’s 4. 50 ERA may not be the prettiest, but he leads the High-A Midwest League in strikeouts (43 in 28 innings), K rate (38 percent) and strikeout-minus-walk rate (33 percent),” the article reads . “Stolen from the Yankees in a February 2024 deal for Caleb Ferguson, he has a pair of plus pitches in a lively 92-97 mph fastball and an 83-85 mph changeup that sinks and fades.

His mid-80s slider has looked better than ever this season. ” Jul 30, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; A general view of a Los Angeles Dodgers hat and glove during the second inning in the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images Is Christian Zazueta a Ranked Prospect?