Ryan Pepiot

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #5 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Medium
  
  Track Record: Pepiot set Butler's single-season (126) and career (306) strikeout records during a decorated three-year career and became the program's highest-drafted player when the Dodgers selected him in the third round in 2019. After a star turn at the alternate training site in 2020, Pepiot reached Triple-A in his first full season in 2021 and took another leap in 2022. He finished second in the Pacific Coast League in ERA (2.56) with Triple-A Oklahoma City while becoming the Dodgers' go-to callup option when they needed a starter. He made his MLB debut in May and went 3-0, 2.47 over nine appearances (seven starts) with the Dodgers across the season.
  
  Scouting Report: Pepiot is physical, 6-foot-3 righthander with premium stuff. His high-spin fastball sits 94 mph and touches 98 with hard armside run out of his strong, powerful delivery. His slider has been a point of emphasis in his development and now sits 84-87 mph with added sweep to make it an average pitch he can locate down in the zone. Pepiot's formerly elite changeup has regressed with his focus on his slider, but it's still a plus offering in the upper 80s with late dive that gets empty swings and weak contact from experienced hitters. Pepiot's below-average control has long been a work in progress and remains so. He struggles to command his fastball and his changeup is more of a chase pitch, which hitters laid off of in the majors. Pepiot doesn't miss the zone by much and generally throws enough strikes to get through four or five innings, but he struggles to go much further.
  
  The Future: Pepiot projects to be a hard-throwing starter who goes five innings before handing it off to his bullpen. He has the stuff to be an elite setup man or potential closer.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70. Slider: 50. Changeup: 60. Control: 40
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #5 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Pepiot set Butler’s single-season (126) and career (306) strikeout records and became the highest Bulldogs player ever drafted when the Dodgers selected him in the third round in 2019. His star rose when he struck out Cody Bellinger, Gavin Lux and Matt Beaty during a summer camp outing at Dodger Stadium in 2020 and followed with a standout performance at the alternate training site. Pepiot jumped straight to Double-A for his full-season debut in 2021 and finished second in the Dodgers system in strikeouts (127), but he also had the second-most walks (47) and struggled after a promotion to Triple-A.
  
  Scouting Report: Pepiot’s stuff is as good as anyone’s in the Dodgers system. His fastball sits 94-98 mph with hard armside run and his changeup is a devastating, 80-grade offering with late drop that gets wild swings and misses. He commands his changeup remarkably well and will throw it in any count against any hitter. Pepiot complements his primary offerings with a short, tight slider in the upper 80s that flashes average but is inconsistent, and he also has a fringy 12-to-6 curveball in the upper 70s. Pepiot has plenty of stuff, but he has long battled below-average control. He is prone to rushing through his delivery and drifting out of his balance point, leading to poor fastball command and short outings when he gets either too much of the plate or not enough of it.
  
  The Future: Pepiot has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter if he can corral his delivery. If not, his fastball and changeup will play in late relief. He is in position to make his major league debut in 2022.
  
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #8 prospect in 2021
  Fastball: 60. Slider: 50. Changeup: 70. Curveball: 45. Control: 45.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Pepiot led the Big East Conference in strikeouts in 2019 but also had the second-most hit batters and third-most walks. The Dodgers bet on his stuff and made him the highest-drafted player in Butler history when they selected him in the third round, No. 102 overall. Pepiot opened eyes in 2020 when he struck out Cody Bellinger, Matt Beaty and Gavin Lux in a dominant two-inning summer camp appearance at Dodger Stadium. He carried that success over to the alternate site and was the Dodgers’ best pitcher in camp.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Pepiot is a big-bodied righthander with premium stuff. His fastball has ticked up to sit 93-95 mph with riding life, and his changeup is a devastating, plus-plus pitch in the mid 80s with hard movement down and in to righthanded batters. Pepiot focused on the consistency of his slider and began getting reliable tilt down and away to make it an average pitch, and his mid-70s curveball is another usable offering. Pepiot cleaned up his arm action and began locating his fastball to his glove side, giving him average control for the first time. He occasionally sprays his fastball up and in but generally self-corrects.
  
  THE FUTURE: Pepiot has to show he can maintain his control gains over a full season. If he can, he has a chance to be a righthanded power starter.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #28 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Pepiot led the Big East Conference with 126 strikeouts as a junior, but he also had the conference's second-most hit batters (15) and third-most walks (44). The Dodgers bet on his stuff and made him the highest-drafted played in Butler history when they selected him in the third round, No. 102 overall, and signed him for $547,500.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Pepiot is a big-bodied righthander with dominant stuff on his best days. His fastball sits 93-94 mph with plus life and his changeup was among the best in the 2019 draft class. It sits 83-85 mph with late action and movement in the strike zone, grading easily plus and sometimes plus-plus. He shows feel for spinning a low 80s slider and mid-70s curveball that flash average at their best. Pepiot's problem is inconsistent fastball command and execution. He goes through stretches of horrid wildness and often spirals and is unable to get out of them.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Dodgers gave Pepiot a detailed plan to improve his fastball execution. How well he implements it will determine whether he reaches his starter ceiling.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #99 prospect in 2019 draft
  On the right day, Pepiot is a strike-thrower in complete command. But Pepiot also struggles with timing issues in his delivery at times and when that happens, his outings can go south quickly. Pepiot had a four-start stretch earlier this year when he struck out 39 and walked only one. He'd topped double digits in strikeouts five times by early May and ranked among the top 10 in Division I in strikeouts. But he followed that excellent stretch by walking seven in only 3.2 innings in his next start. A few starts later, he again walked seven while also hitting two batters. There is a minor head whack in Pepiot's delivery, but he has long enough stretches of solid control to project that he may one day sort out his stretches of wildness with additional innings and maturity. Pepiot is a big-bodied righthander who can attack hitters with a 91-93 mph fastball that touches 95-96 mph. His changeup is a plus pitch as well, but one that multiple evaluators mentioned he relies on too often. It might actually be a little more effective in pro ball if he begins to use it a little more sparingly and uses his fringe-average, 80-82 mph slider and fringe-average, mid-70s curveball more often. Both will flash average or better as Pepiot shows a feel for spin, but he doesn't use them all that much. That's due, in part, because he doesn't consistently locate them. Pepiot will likely go out in pro ball as a starter, but he has a solid fallback option as a power reliever with enough fastball, an ability to spin a breaking ball and a plus changeup.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #55 prospect in 2023
• Ranked Baseball America's #99 prospect in 2022

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Medium
  
  Track Record: Pepiot set Butler's single-season (126) and career (306) strikeout records during a decorated three-year career and became the program's highest-drafted player when the Dodgers selected him in the third round in 2019. After a star turn at the alternate training site in 2020, Pepiot reached Triple-A in his first full season in 2021 and took another leap in 2022. He finished second in the Pacific Coast League in ERA (2.56) with Triple-A Oklahoma City while becoming the Dodgers' go-to callup option when they needed a starter. He made his MLB debut in May and went 3-0, 2.47 over nine appearances (seven starts) with the Dodgers across the season.
  
  Scouting Report: Pepiot is physical, 6-foot-3 righthander with premium stuff. His high-spin fastball sits 94 mph and touches 98 with hard armside run out of his strong, powerful delivery. His slider has been a point of emphasis in his development and now sits 84-87 mph with added sweep to make it an average pitch he can locate down in the zone. Pepiot's formerly elite changeup has regressed with his focus on his slider, but it's still a plus offering in the upper 80s with late dive that gets empty swings and weak contact from experienced hitters. Pepiot's below-average control has long been a work in progress and remains so. He struggles to command his fastball and his changeup is more of a chase pitch, which hitters laid off of in the majors. Pepiot doesn't miss the zone by much and generally throws enough strikes to get through four or five innings, but he struggles to go much further.
  
  The Future: Pepiot projects to be a hard-throwing starter who goes five innings before handing it off to his bullpen. He has the stuff to be an elite setup man or potential closer.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70. Slider: 50. Changeup: 60. Control: 40
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Medium
  
  Track Record: Pepiot set Butler's single-season (126) and career (306) strikeout records during a decorated three-year career and became the program's highest-drafted player when the Dodgers selected him in the third round in 2019. After a star turn at the alternate training site in 2020, Pepiot reached Triple-A in his first full season in 2021 and took another leap in 2022. He finished second in the Pacific Coast League in ERA (2.56) with Triple-A Oklahoma City while becoming the Dodgers' go-to callup option when they needed a starter. He made his MLB debut in May and went 3-0, 2.47 over nine appearances (seven starts) with the Dodgers across the season.
  
  Scouting Report: Pepiot is physical, 6-foot-3 righthander with premium stuff. His high-spin fastball sits 94 mph and touches 98 with hard armside run out of his strong, powerful delivery. His slider has been a point of emphasis in his development and now sits 84-87 mph with added sweep to make it an average pitch he can locate down in the zone. Pepiot's formerly elite changeup has regressed with his focus on his slider, but it's still a plus offering in the upper 80s with late dive that gets empty swings and weak contact from experienced hitters. Pepiot's below-average control has long been a work in progress and remains so. He struggles to command his fastball and his changeup is more of a chase pitch, which hitters laid off of in the majors. Pepiot doesn't miss the zone by much and generally throws enough strikes to get through four or five innings, but he struggles to go much further.
  
  The Future: Pepiot projects to be a hard-throwing starter who goes five innings before handing it off to his bullpen. He has the stuff to be an elite setup man or potential closer.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70. Slider: 50. Changeup: 60. Control: 40
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 55/Medium
  
  Track Record: Pepiot set Butler&#39s single-season (126) and career (306) strikeout records and became the highest Bulldogs player ever drafted when the Dodgers selected him in the third round in 2019. His star rose when he struck out Cody Bellinger, Gavin Lux and Matt Beaty during a summer camp outing at Dodger Stadium in 2020 and followed with a standout performance at the alternate training site. Pepiot jumped straight to Double-A for his full-season debut in 2021 and finished second in the Dodgers system in strikeouts (127), but he also had the second-most walks (47) and struggled after a promotion to Triple-A.
  
  Scouting Report: Pepiot&#39s stuff is as good as anyone&#39s in the Dodgers system. His fastball sits 94-98 mph with hard armside run and his changeup is a devastating, 80-grade offering with late drop that gets wild swings and misses. He commands his changeup remarkably well and will throw it in any count against any hitter. Pepiot complements his primary offerings with a short, tight slider in the upper 80s that flashes average but is inconsistent, and he also has a fringy 12-to-6 curveball in the upper 70s. Pepiot has plenty of stuff, but he has long battled below-average control. He is prone to rushing through his delivery and drifting out of his balance point, leading to poor fastball command and short outings when he gets either too much of the plate or not enough of it.
  
  The Future: Pepiot has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter if he can corral his delivery. If not, his fastball and changeup will play in late relief. He is in position to make his major league debut in 2022.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70. Slider: 50. Curveball: 45. Changeup: 80. Control: 40.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Pepiot set Butler’s single-season (126) and career (306) strikeout records and became the highest Bulldogs player ever drafted when the Dodgers selected him in the third round in 2019. His star rose when he struck out Cody Bellinger, Gavin Lux and Matt Beaty during a summer camp outing at Dodger Stadium in 2020 and followed with a standout performance at the alternate training site. Pepiot jumped straight to Double-A for his full-season debut in 2021 and finished second in the Dodgers system in strikeouts (127), but he also had the second-most walks (47) and struggled after a promotion to Triple-A.
  
  Scouting Report: Pepiot’s stuff is as good as anyone’s in the Dodgers system. His fastball sits 94-98 mph with hard armside run and his changeup is a devastating, 80-grade offering with late drop that gets wild swings and misses. He commands his changeup remarkably well and will throw it in any count against any hitter. Pepiot complements his primary offerings with a short, tight slider in the upper 80s that flashes average but is inconsistent, and he also has a fringy 12-to-6 curveball in the upper 70s. Pepiot has plenty of stuff, but he has long battled below-average control. He is prone to rushing through his delivery and drifting out of his balance point, leading to poor fastball command and short outings when he gets either too much of the plate or not enough of it.
  
  The Future: Pepiot has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter if he can corral his delivery. If not, his fastball and changeup will play in late relief. He is in position to make his major league debut in 2022.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 60. Slider: 50. Changeup: 70. Curveball: 45. Control: 45.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Pepiot led the Big East Conference in strikeouts in 2019 but also had the second-most hit batters and third-most walks. The Dodgers bet on his stuff and made him the highest-drafted player in Butler history when they selected him in the third round, No. 102 overall. Pepiot opened eyes in 2020 when he struck out Cody Bellinger, Matt Beaty and Gavin Lux in a dominant two-inning summer camp appearance at Dodger Stadium. He carried that success over to the alternate site and was the Dodgers' best pitcher in camp.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Pepiot is a big-bodied righthander with premium stuff. His fastball has ticked up to sit 93-95 mph with riding life, and his changeup is a devastating, plus-plus pitch in the mid 80s with hard movement down and in to righthanded batters. Pepiot focused on the consistency of his slider and began getting reliable tilt down and away to make it an average pitch, and his mid-70s curveball is another usable offering. Pepiot cleaned up his arm action and began locating his fastball to his glove side, giving him average control for the first time. He occasionally sprays his fastball up and in but generally self-corrects.
  
  THE FUTURE: Pepiot has to show he can maintain his control gains over a full season. If he can, he has a chance to be a righthanded power starter.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 60. Slider: 50. Changeup: 70. Curveball: 45. Control: 45.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Pepiot led the Big East Conference in strikeouts in 2019 but also had the second-most hit batters and third-most walks. The Dodgers bet on his stuff and made him the highest-drafted player in Butler history when they selected him in the third round, No. 102 overall. Pepiot opened eyes in 2020 when he struck out Cody Bellinger, Matt Beaty and Gavin Lux in a dominant two-inning summer camp appearance at Dodger Stadium. He carried that success over to the alternate site and was the Dodgers’ best pitcher in camp.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Pepiot is a big-bodied righthander with premium stuff. His fastball has ticked up to sit 93-95 mph with riding life, and his changeup is a devastating, plus-plus pitch in the mid 80s with hard movement down and in to righthanded batters. Pepiot focused on the consistency of his slider and began getting reliable tilt down and away to make it an average pitch, and his mid-70s curveball is another usable offering. Pepiot cleaned up his arm action and began locating his fastball to his glove side, giving him average control for the first time. He occasionally sprays his fastball up and in but generally self-corrects.
  
  THE FUTURE: Pepiot has to show he can maintain his control gains over a full season. If he can, he has a chance to be a righthanded power starter.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 60. Slider: 50. Changeup: 70. Curveball: 45. Control: 45.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Pepiot led the Big East Conference in strikeouts in 2019 but also had the second-most hit batters and third-most walks. The Dodgers bet on his stuff and made him the highest-drafted player in Butler history when they selected him in the third round, No. 102 overall. Pepiot opened eyes in 2020 when he struck out Cody Bellinger, Matt Beaty and Gavin Lux in a dominant two-inning summer camp appearance at Dodger Stadium. He carried that success over to the alternate site and was the Dodgers’ best pitcher in camp.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Pepiot is a big-bodied righthander with premium stuff. His fastball has ticked up to sit 93-95 mph with riding life, and his changeup is a devastating, plus-plus pitch in the mid 80s with hard movement down and in to righthanded batters. Pepiot focused on the consistency of his slider and began getting reliable tilt down and away to make it an average pitch, and his mid-70s curveball is another usable offering. Pepiot cleaned up his arm action and began locating his fastball to his glove side, giving him average control for the first time. He occasionally sprays his fastball up and in but generally self-corrects.
  
  THE FUTURE: Pepiot has to show he can maintain his control gains over a full season. If he can, he has a chance to be a righthanded power starter.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Pepiot led the Big East Conference with 126 strikeouts as a junior, but he also had the conference's second-most hit batters (15) and third-most walks (44). The Dodgers bet on his stuff and made him the highest-drafted played in Butler history when they selected him in the third round, No. 102 overall, and signed him for $547,500.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Pepiot is a big-bodied righthander with dominant stuff on his best days. His fastball sits 93-94 mph with plus life and his changeup was among the best in the 2019 draft class. It sits 83-85 mph with late action and movement in the strike zone, grading easily plus and sometimes plus-plus. He shows feel for spinning a low 80s slider and mid-70s curveball that flash average at their best. Pepiot's problem is inconsistent fastball command and execution. He goes through stretches of horrid wildness and often spirals and is unable to get out of them.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Dodgers gave Pepiot a detailed plan to improve his fastball execution. How well he implements it will determine whether he reaches his starter ceiling.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  On the right day, Pepiot is a strike-thrower in complete command. But Pepiot also struggles with timing issues in his delivery at times and when that happens, his outings can go south quickly. Pepiot had a four-start stretch earlier this year when he struck out 39 and walked only one. He'd topped double digits in strikeouts five times by early May and ranked among the top 10 in Division I in strikeouts. But he followed that excellent stretch by walking seven in only 3.2 innings in his next start. A few starts later, he again walked seven while also hitting two batters. There is a minor head whack in Pepiot's delivery, but he has long enough stretches of solid control to project that he may one day sort out his stretches of wildness with additional innings and maturity. Pepiot is a big-bodied righthander who can attack hitters with a 91-93 mph fastball that touches 95-96 mph. His changeup is a plus pitch as well, but one that multiple evaluators mentioned he relies on too often. It might actually be a little more effective in pro ball if he begins to use it a little more sparingly and uses his fringe-average, 80-82 mph slider and fringe-average, mid-70s curveball more often. Both will flash average or better as Pepiot shows a feel for spin, but he doesn't use them all that much. That's due, in part, because he doesn't consistently locate them. Pepiot will likely go out in pro ball as a starter, but he has a solid fallback option as a power reliever with enough fastball, an ability to spin a breaking ball and a plus changeup.