Zach Root, the Dodgers' No. 13 prospect and top draft pick from last year, struck out eight of 10 batters in three near-perfect innings during his professional debut. The performance helped the Dodgers prospects secure an 11-10 victory over the White Sox prospects at Camelback Ranch on Saturday night. Root tied the Spring Breakout single-game strikeout record.
Zach Root made his professional debut in the Dodgers' Spring Breakout game against White Sox prospects, contributing significantly to an 11-10 win at Camelback Ranch. Rated as the Dodgers' No. 13 prospect by MLB Pipeline and selected with the 40th overall pick in last year's Draft, the left-hander faced 10 hitters over three innings, striking out eight and allowing just one base hit to Braden Montgomery in the sixth. He faced only one batter over the minimum, tying the Spring Breakout single-game strikeout record amid a game where pitchers issued 27 walks combined between both teams. Three of Root's strikeouts came on his curveball, a pitch he highlighted for his development. Speaking last July, Root said: > The last two years, I wasn't able really to throw a curveball for a strike very consistently. And it was just easier for hitters to sit on different pitches. Being able to throw the curveball in the zone all the time really helped them have to sit on another pitch in any count. Root had not pitched in an affiliated game post-draft but showed potential as a fast riser in the Dodgers' system, with MLB Pipeline noting him as a Top 100 prospect candidate. Other Dodgers standouts included outfielder/first baseman James Tibbs III (No. 11 prospect), who hit a three-run homer in the second inning. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called Tibbs a 'championship-type player.' Outfielder Mike Sirota (Dodgers' No. 4 prospect) recorded two hits and two RBIs. Pitching depth is not a strength for the Dodgers' farm system, but Root's outing suggests promise for the future.
