Scouting Report

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

A year after Arkansas left-hander Hagen Smith went fifth overall in the 2024 Draft, the Razorbacks have another potential first-round southpaw. Root spent his first two college seasons at East Carolina before transferring and succeeding Smith as the Hogs' Friday-night ace. He has an effective four-pitch mix rather than overpowering stuff but it allowed him to rank fifth in NCAA Division I with 126 strikeouts in 99 1/3 innings and gives him one of the higher floors among college starters.

Root employs his fastball only about a third of the time, operating at 91-94 mph and reaching 97 with sink that creates ground-ball contact. His most effective offering is an 83-85 mph changeup with fade, and his low-80s curveball gives him a second plus pitch. He topped all D-I pitchers with 51 strikeouts via his curve. His mid-80s cutter/slider is a solid fourth option, and he uses all three of his secondaries at a roughly equal amount.

Root has an unorthodox delivery with a high leg kick and a deep arm swing that produces a three-quarters arm slot that helps him stay on top of his pitches. He throws consistent strikes but catches the heart of the plate more than he should. He's a safe bet to become a No. 4 starter.

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

After spending his first two college seasons at East Carolina, Root transferred to Arkansas and became the ace of a team that finished third at the 2025 College World Series. He finished fifth in NCAA Division I with 126 strikeouts in 99 1/3 innings and offered one of the highest floors among college starters. The Dodgers chose him with their first pick at No. 40 overall and immediately followed with Razorbacks teammate Charles Davalan at No. 41.

Root used a low-90s sinker to generate groundball contact in college, but Los Angeles is having him focus on a four-seamer with nasty ride up in the zone that topped out in the upper 90s during offseason workouts. His best weapon is a fading 83-85 mph changeup, though his low-80s curveball is close behind and he topped D-I with 51 strikeouts via his bender last spring. He also employs a mid-80s cutter/slider and mixes his pitches very well.

Root creates a lot of deception with an unusual delivery that features a high leg kick and a deep arm swing leading up to a three-quarters arm slot that enables him to stay on top of his offerings. His mechanics don't hamper his strike-throwing ability, though he's not overpowering and sometimes catches too much of the plate. Signed for $2,197,500, he'll make his pro debut in 2026 and is a reasonable bet to become a No. 4 starter.

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

Root spent his first two college seasons at East Carolina before transferring and becoming Arkansas' Friday-night starter. He has an effective four-pitch mix rather than overpowering stuff but it allowed him to rank fifth in NCAA Division I with 126 strikeouts in 99 1/3 innings this spring and gave him one of the higher floors among college starters in the 2025 Draft. The Dodgers selected him with their first pick (40th overall) and signed him for $2,197,500.

Root employs his fastball only about a third of the time, operating at 91-94 mph and reaching 97 mph with sink that creates groundball contact. His most effective offering is an 83-85 mph changeup with fade, and his low-80s curveball gives him a second plus pitch. He topped all D-I pitchers with 51 strikeouts via his curve. His mid-80s cutter/slider is a solid fourth option, and he uses all three of his secondaries at a roughly equal amount.

Root has an unorthodox delivery with a high leg kick and a deep arm swing that produces a three-quarters arm slot that helps him stay on top of his pitches. He throws consistent strikes but catches the heart of the plate more than he should. He's a safe bet to become a No. 4 starter.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/05/2026	LHP Zach Root assigned to Los Angeles Dodgers Prospects.
	08/04/2025	ACL Dodgers activated LHP Zachary Root.
	07/25/2025	LHP Zachary Root assigned to ACL Dodgers.
	07/24/2025	Los Angeles Dodgers signed LHP Zachary Root.
	06/03/2025	LHP Zach Root assigned to College Workout.
	01/23/2025	LHP Zach Root assigned to Arkansas Razorbacks.
	05/09/2024	East Carolina Pirates activated LHP Zach Root.
	05/09/2024	LHP Zach Root assigned to East Carolina Pirates.
	04/02/2024	LHP Zach Root assigned to Orleans Firebirds.
	04/18/2023	LHP Zach Root assigned to East Carolina Pirates.
	06/11/2022	College Workout activated LHP Zachary Root.
	06/11/2022	LHP Zachary Root assigned to College Workout.
	09/28/2021	LHP Zachary Root and assigned to North.
	07/13/2021	PG National 9 - Red activated LHP Zachary Root.