Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 55 

Scouts have poured in to watch IMG Academy outfielder Elijah Green on a regular basis all spring, but they also tried to time it for whenever Ferris takes the mound. One of the best prep left-handers in this class, Ferris certainly made a name for himself last spring, when he outdueled eventual Phillies first-round pick Andrew Painter, then threw at a number of summer showcase events -- including MLB’s High School All-American Game in Denver. He came out of the gate red-hot this spring and while he’s shown off his considerable upside, he’s been a touch more inconsistent as the season wore on.

When everything is in sync and online, the 6-foot-4 Ferris can show off three pitches that have the chance to all be plus pitches. His fastball typically sits in the 92-95 mph range with good riding life and he has shown the ability to command the pitch well. He throws close to a true 12-to-6 curve in the mid-70s and has excellent feel for his mid-80s changeup with good fade.

Tall and projectable, the Mississippi commit could have more in the tank as he matures, and he can already hold his stuff deep into outings. He does have a bit of an unorthodox delivery that can get out of whack occasionally, leading to some command issues, but he has No. 2-3 starter potential if it all comes together.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 45 | Overall: 55

Ferris established himself as an elite prospect as a junior at IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) in 2021, when he spun a no-hitter and a perfect game in his first two starts, and later handed Andrew Painter (now one of baseball's top pitching prospects) his only loss of the season. He received first-round money ($3,005,000) from the Cubs after they floated him to the second round in 2022, then made a strong pro debut last year with a 3.38 ERA, .179 opponent average and 77 strikeouts in 56 innings in Single-A. The Dodgers acquired him and outfielder prospect Zyhir Hope in exchange for Michael Busch and Yency Almonte in January. 

When his delivery is right, Ferris can miss bats in the strike zone with a variety of pitches, starting with a 92-95 mph fastball that reaches 97 with a flat approach angle and excellent carry. He entered pro ball with a 75-78 mph curveball with downer break, and Chicago helped him add a 79-82 mph slider with sweep, and both are at least solid offerings. His mid-80s changeup with fade shows similar promise. 

Ferris doesn't always keep his complicated mechanics in sync, which costs him control and command, but he does have the athleticism to make them work and they do create deception. Adding strength to his projectable 6-foot-4 frame could add some needed power to his breaking balls and help him do a better job of locating his pitches more consistently. He has frontline-starter ceiling and resembles Blake Snell at the same stage of their careers, albeit with better stuff and a cleaner delivery. 

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 45 | Overall: 50 

Part of the most talented prep roster in the country at IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), Ferris established himself as an elite prospect as a junior in 2021, when he threw a no-hitter and a perfect game in his first two outings and later outdueled Andrew Painter (now baseball's top pitching prospect) his only loss of the season. He ranked with the best high school left-handers in the 2022 class and after the Cubs signed MLB Pipeline's top-rated college arm (Cade Horton) for $1.26 million below his assigned pick value at No. 7, they floated Ferris to the second round and paid him $3,005,000. After he performed well in Single-A during his 2023 pro debut, Chicago traded him and outfield prospect Zyhir Hope to the Dodgers for Michael Busch and Yency Amonte in January.

When he keeps his mechanics in sync, Ferris displays three plus pitches that can miss bats in the strike zone, the best of which is a 92-95 mph fastball that touches 97 and arrives on a flat approach angle with excellent carry. His best secondary offering is a 75-78 mph curveball that features high spin rates and can be a hammer with 12-6 break at its best. He also shows advanced feel for a mid-80s changeup with fade that should become more consistent as he uses it more often as a pro. 

Ferris has a projectable 6-foot-4 frame and could add more velocity as he gets stronger. While he does have a complicated delivery that can get out of whack, he has the athleticism to work through it and he creates deception. He physically resembles Blake Snell at the same age but with superior stuff and mechanics.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50 

Not only did the Cubs land MLB Pipeline's top-rated college pitcher with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2022 Draft, but signing Cade Horton for $1.26 million below his assigned pick value enabled them to float Ferris to the second round and pay him $3,005,000. Part of the most talented prep roster in the country at IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), he established himself as a top prospect as a junior in 2021, when he threw a no-hitter and a perfect game in his first two outings and later outdueled eventual Phillies first-rounder Andrew Painter. Ferris continued to impress on the showcase circuit and again this spring, though he was a little more inconsistent than expected as a senior. 

When his mechanics are in sync, Ferris displays three plus pitches, starting with a 92-95 mph fastball that reaches 97 with a flat approach angle and tremendous carry up in the strike zone. His best secondary offering is a 75-78 mph curveball with high spin rates that can be a hammer with 12-6 break at times. He has advanced feel for a fading mid-80s changeup that should become more reliable as he uses it more against pro hitters. 

Ferris has a lot of projection remaining in his 6-foot-4 frame and could add more power to his arsenal as he matures physically. There's a lot going on in his complicated delivery and he can get out of whack at times, though he has the athleticism to make it work and his mechanics also provide deception. Like Horton, he eventually could fit in the front half of Chicago's rotation. 

Awards

MID Pitcher of the Week

Week	Team
08/04/2024

MID Pitcher of the Month

Month	Team
07/2024

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	08/02/2024	LHP Jackson Ferris assigned to Tulsa Drillers from Great Lakes Loons.
	03/07/2024	Los Angeles Dodgers Prospects activated LHP Jackson Ferris.
	01/11/2024	Los Angeles Dodgers traded 2B Michael Busch and RHP Yency Almonte to Chicago Cubs for LHP Jackson Ferris and OF Zyhir Hope.
	01/11/2024	LHP Jackson Ferris assigned to Great Lakes Loons.
	05/05/2023	LHP Jackson Ferris assigned to Myrtle Beach Pelicans from ACL Cubs.
	05/05/2023	Myrtle Beach Pelicans activated LHP Jackson Ferris.
	03/06/2023	LHP Jackson Ferris assigned to ACL Cubs from Cubs Organization.
	08/16/2022	LHP Jackson Ferris assigned to Cubs Organization.
	07/29/2022	Chicago Cubs signed LHP Jackson Ferris.
	06/11/2022	College Workout activated LHP Jackson Ferris.
	06/11/2022	LHP Jackson Ferris and assigned to College Workout.
	08/18/2021	LHP Jackson Ferris and assigned to PG East.
	07/13/2021	PG National 6 - Navy activated LHP Jackson Ferris.
	07/08/2021	American activated LHP Jackson Ferris.
	07/08/2021	American activated LHP Jackson Ferris.
	06/04/2021	High School Workout activated LHP Jackson Ferris.