SAN FRANCISCO — The Dodgers’ first two picks on this 12 months’s MLB draft got here consecutively at Nos. 40 and 41 general.
Seems, their two choices got here from the identical faculty, as nicely, with the crew taking left-handed pitcher Zach Root and contact-hitting outfielder Charles Davalan out of the College of Arkansas.
Root, a junior for the Razorbacks this 12 months, went at No. 40. A switch from East Carolina, he had a 3.62 earned-run common this season with 126 strikeouts in 99⅓ innings. Scouting stories lauded his versatile pitch combine, which features a slider, curveball and changeup from a cool low arm-slot supply.
Davalan, a sophomore who was draft-eligible, additionally transferred into Arkansas final 12 months after one season at Florida Gulf Coast. He hit .346 for the Razorbacks with 14 house runs, 60 RBIs and extra walks (35) than strikeouts (27).
Each gamers have been a part of an Arkansas crew that received 50 video games and reached the Faculty World Collection.
Each determine to be key items of the Dodgers’ future, as nicely.
Although the Dodgers as soon as once more have been boxed out of a excessive draft choose — choosing exterior the highest 30 for the third time within the final 4 years due to aggressive steadiness tax penalties — the crew did purchase an additional choice in what is named “Competitive Balance Round A,” securing the No. 41 general choice as a part of the commerce that despatched Gavin Lux to the Cincinnati Reds.
That meant, for the primary time since 2019, the Dodgers made two top-50 choices.
And when their choices have been on the clock, they recognized the pair of Southeastern Convention teammates.
Root is a Fort Myers, Fla., native who was the No. 31-ranked recruit within the state popping out of highschool, in keeping with Good Recreation.
After beginning his faculty profession at East Carolina, the place he had a 9-5 document and 4.43 ERA in two seasons, he discovered rapid success upon becoming a member of Arkansas, incomes first-team All-SEC honors and second- and third-team All-American nods.
Although he grew up in Florida, Root mentioned he was a childhood Dodgers fan — thanks largely to a different sure left-handed pitcher.
“Growing up, my dad always made me watch [Clayton] Kershaw and learn to pitch like him,” Root mentioned. “So I’ve just been watching Dodger baseball ever since I can remember, because of Kershaw.”
Davalan took a decidedly extra circuitous path to the Dodgers.
Arkansas batter Charles Davalan runs to first base throughout a recreation in opposition to Arkansas State on April 8.
(Michael Woods / Related Press)
Initially a childhood hockey participant from Quebec, Canada, Davalan moved to Florida when he was in highschool in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, enrolling in a specialised highschool that allowed him to spend a lot of his days coaching as a baseball participant.
“With COVID, a lot got shut down in Canada,” Davalan mentioned. “So decided to go live in Florida, where the restrictions [weren’t there] and you could play 12 months of the year.”
From there, the undersized Davalan — who’s listed at 5-foot-9 and 190 kilos — acquired one D-I supply from FGCU, impressed sufficient there to switch to Arkansas, after which blossomed into “one of the best hitters in the draft class, I think,” Root mentioned of his teammate. “Getting him at pick 41 is just a big steal for the Dodgers.”
Davalan provided related reward about Root, calling him “kind of an old-school pitcher” who “really filled the zones up good, but can still get his punchouts when he needs to get out of the jam.”
“Old-school” was additionally an adjective Davalan used to explain himself.
“I like to win. I like to play hard,” he mentioned. “So that’s what I’m going to try to do. And I’m sure that knowing the organization, it’s filled of players like that, so I’m super excited just to get to meet new people.”
And, in fact, be reacquainted with one from his latest previous.
“He’s one of my best friends because of Arkansas,” Root mentioned. “He’s a really great dude.”
“I guess I’m going to have to live with him in a couple more years,” Davalan joked. “He’s awesome.”
