The Dodgers have captured 12 of the last 13 National League West titles -- settling for 106 victories and just a Wild Card berth in 2021 -- and three of the last six World Series. They're prohibitive favorites to earn a third consecutive World Series title in 2026, which would make them just the fifth team ever to do so.
Los Angeles' aggressive spending, both in terms of big league payroll and in terms of baseball infrastructure, gives it an advantage. So does its skill at acquiring and developing prospects, which paid dividends both direct (Will Smith, Andy Pages, World Series hero Justin Wrobleski) and indirect (trades for Mookie Betts, Tyler Glasnow and others) for the 2025 championship club.
In Jonathan Mayo's annual MLB Pipeline Executive Poll, industry officials tabbed the Dodgers as having baseball's top farm system and doing the best job of developing hitters and of developing pitchers. Remarkably for a team that's in perpetual competition, they also came in second for their skill at acquiring prospects via trades.
Seven of Los Angeles' dozen best prospects arrived via deals: outfielder Zyhir Hope and left-hander Jackson Ferris (for Michael Busch and Yency Almonte), outfielder Mike Sirota (for Gavin Lux), right-hander River Ryan (for Matt Beaty), righty Christian Zazueta (for Caleb Ferguson), outfielder James Tibbs (for Dustin May) and left-hander Adam Serwinowski (for Hunter Feduccia). The Dodgers also placed second in the executive survey for their ability to acquire prospects on the international market, with outfielders Josue De Paula and Eduardo Quintero and shortstop Emil Morales -- all Top 100 Prospects -- the most recent examples.
Here's a look at the Dodgers' top prospects:
- Josue De Paula, OF (MLB No. 15)
- Zyhir Hope, OF (MLB No. 27)
- Eduardo Quintero, OF (MLB No. 30)
- Mike Sirota, OF (MLB No. 60)
- Emil Morales, SS (MLB No. 92)
Biggest jump/fall
Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the 2025 preseason list to the 2026 preseason list.
Jump: Christian Zazueta, RHP (2025: NR | 2026: 10)
Roughed up in his first crack at Single-A in 2024, he dominated in his return at age 20 and already is one of the system's more polished pitchers.
Fall: Nick Frasso, RHP (2025: 13 | 2026: NR)
The system's best pitching prospect before tearing the labrum in his shoulder, he hasn't been the same since November 2023 surgery.
Best tools
Players are graded on a 20-80 scouting scale for future tools -- 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is plus and 70-80 is well above average. Players in parentheses have the same grade.
Hit: 60 -- Josue De Paula (Charles Davalan)
Power: 60 -- Zyhir Hope (Josue De Paula, Emil Morales)
Run: 80 -- Kendall George (Kellon Lindsey)
Arm: 70 -- Landyn Vidourek
Defense: 70 -- Noah Miller
Fastball: 70 -- Kyle Hurt
Curveball: 60 -- Zach Root (Sterling Patick)
Slider: 60 -- River Ryan (Patrick Copen, Jackson Ferris, Payton Martin, Marlon Nieves, Adam Serwinowski)
Changeup: 60 -- Christian Zazueta (Kyle Hurt, Zach Root)
Control: 55 -- Christian Zazueta
How they were built
Draft: 14 | International: 6 | Trade: 10
Breakdown by ETA
2026: 6 | 2027: 10 | 2028: 9 | 2029: 5
Breakdown by position
3B: 1 | SS: 6 | OF: 12 | RHP: 7 | LHP: 4