Christian Zazueta is wasting no time making noise in Double-A.
The 21-year-old right-hander, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Dodgers’ No. 8 prospect for 2026, turned in another sharp outing Wednesday for the Tulsa Drillers. In just his second Double-A start, Zazueta worked four innings against the Wichita Wind Surge, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out eight in Tulsa’s 10-3 win.
That performance only added to what he’s already done since arriving at the level. Through his first two Double-A outings, Zazueta has allowed just one run in nine innings, with only one walk and 16 strikeouts. He’s put together a 1.00 ERA at Double-A so far, and his overall numbers in 2026 are eye-catching too: a 3.43 ERA in 13 games across two minor league levels, along with 82 strikeouts in 57 2/3 innings.
Zazueta’s rise has been steady, and his path to the Dodgers system has already included a couple of twists. The Yankees signed him in 2022 out of Mexico, then Los Angeles picked him up in the 2024 trade that sent left-handed reliever Caleb Ferguson to New York. Ferguson later posted a 5.13 ERA in 42 games with the Yankees before being dealt to the Houston Astros at the 2024 trade deadline.
The Dodgers had other prospects standing out in Tulsa on Wednesday, too, with Josue De Paula and Mike Sirota also shining. But Zazueta’s start was the headline on the mound, and it’s a sign of how quickly he’s building buzz inside the organization.
He was only promoted to Double-A near the end of June, so he’s most likely not in position to help the Dodgers chase a third straight World Series title this season. Even so, with the deadline approaching and Los Angeles expected to go all in for another run, his name could become part of the trade chatter if this kind of pitching keeps up.
In Other News...
Kyle Tucker Just Sparked More Frustration Among Dodgers Fans
Kyle Tuckers first season in Los Angeles has already been a rough one on the field, and the off-field optics have not helped. With Tucker drawing far less media attention than many of his Dodgers teammates, the conversation around him has started to drift beyond baseball, especially after radio host Doug McKain pointed out that Tucker is seldom seen at his locker and suggested a little more availability could go a long way with fans.
Tucker then appeared to answer the chatter in his own way, posting a locker-room photo that seemed aimed squarely at the criticism. The image only added to the buzz around a player who has become an easy target for frustration, and it left Dodgers fans with one more reminder that in Los Angeles, even a quiet moment can turn into a storyline fast. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Face An Awkward Ohtani Dilemma Against The Padres
The Dodgers have settled on Dalton Rushing to catch Shohei Ohtani on Friday night against the Padres, a decision that comes after the club spent the previous day weighing its options. It is a notable pairing because the battery had a rough moment in the last outing, and Los Angeles has been trying to steady the situation while also managing Ohtanis workload with his start pushed back two days for extra rest.
Rushing has already taken accountability for his part in the previous game, and the Dodgers have been working with him on emotional control after several moments this season when his frustration has surfaced. With Will Smith still unavailable until after the All-Star break, the Dodgers do not have much flexibility behind the plate, which makes this matchup even more important as they try to keep Ohtani comfortable and avoid another awkward night. [Read more 🡒]