Los Angeles Dodgers Breakout MLB Prospects For 2025

Breakout Prospects

Eriq Swan, RHP

Preseason Rank: 14
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: In his junior season at Middle Tennessee, Swan earned a rep as one of the hardest-throwing pitchers in college baseball. His fastball that summer averaged 98 mph and touched 102, but the results did not follow. He was rotation-mates at MTSU with Jaden Hamm, a Tigers prospect who also was one of the season’s breakout stars. Swan racked up a 6.49 ERA and a 15.6% walk rate. Still, the Dodgers bet on his stuff and selected him in the supplemental fourth round. His pro debut was limited by injuries but he made up some of those lost innings in the Arizona Fall League.

Scouting Report: Despite uneven results, scouts were impressed with Swan’s pure stuff. He works with a four-pitch mix led by an upper-90s fastball and backed by a slider, a sweeper and a changeup. Both versions of the slider are knockouts and project as potentially plus pitches. The changeup is firm and gets up to 91 mph, though it produced solid results in the AFL and could be an average offering in time. The next step for the former high school shortstop is to throw more frequent, higher-quality strikes. He has a shorter arm action and moved to a stretch-only delivery in an effort to achieve those goals. Scouts also would like to see him be more consistent with his direction to the plate.

The Future: After a whizbang turn in the AFL, Swan’s next stop is likely High-A Great Lakes. There, he’ll work on throwing more strikes and staying healthy enough to turn in a full season. If he does, his ceiling is extremely high.

Scouting Grades: FB: 70. SL: 60. CH: 50. SWP: 60. CTL: 40.

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Brendan Tunink, OF

Preseason Rank: 19
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: In high school in Illinois, Tunink was a star baseball player and also wrestled in his freshman year. The lefty hitter—who earned the nickname Big Tuna—rewrote the record books at Newman Central Catholic. He also participated in the MLB Draft Combine, then was taken by the Dodgers in the eighth round. He signed for $410,000—the second-highest figure in the eighth round and more than double the slot value—to sway him from a commitment to Notre Dame. He did not play after signing.

Scouting Report: The Dodgers were drawn to Tunink’s combination of twitchy athleticism, lefthanded power and potential for remaining projection. He is a plus runner and could get to plus raw power in the future if he adds strength to his frame. There are questions about his hit tool, which is to be expected of a player from a cold-weather area without much exposure to premium competition. He’s a plus runner with the athleticism and range to stick in center field as he moves up the minor league ladder.

The Future: Tunink will likely begin his career in the Arizona Complex League. There, he’ll work on turning his athleticism and projection into reality. The Dodgers have long shown a willingness to bet on players who need plenty of time to develop. Tunink fits that mold and could pay big dividends later.

Scouting Grades: HIT: 40. POW: 55. RUN: 60. FLD: 50. ARM: 50.

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Brooks Auger, RHP

Preseason Rank: 27
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: After a season at Hinds (S.C.) JC, Auger transferred to Mississippi State for the next three years and two seasons. He missed the 2023 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. The righthander spent most of his time in the bullpen with the Bulldogs but made five starts in 2024. One of those starts was a 13-strikeout, 28-whiff gem against Ole Miss in the Southeastern Conference tournament. That outing also saw Auger go a career-high eight innings. Los Angeles chose him in the sixth round in 2024 and signed him for a below-slot bonus of $197,500. He did not pitch after signing.

Scouting Report: The Dodgers were drawn to Auger’s size, athleticism and stuff and believe the combination could help him transition into a starter’s role. After signing he reported to the team’s spring training complex and threw live bullpen sessions and in the bridge league. There, he showed a lively 93-96 mph fastball with a mid-80s slider and a potentially average changeup. He also added a curveball during that time, and the pitch could be a 50-grade offering with more reps.

The Future: Auger will make his pro debut as a 23-year-old, so he’s an advanced pitcher who could move quickly through the system if developed as a reliever. Molding him into a starter might take a little bit more patience, but the wait could be well worth the reward.

Scouting Grades: FB: 60. CB: 50. SL: 55. CH: 50. CTL: 45.