2025 MLB Draft: Zach Root contract details revealed for Los Angeles Dodgers supplemental first-round pick

Fresh off a trip to the College World Series with Arkansas, Zach Root has now officially signed a contract to get his professional career underway. Root was picked in the supplemental first-round by the Los Angeles Dodgers with the No. 40 overall pick. Now, he is getting a nice check coming his way.

“Supplemental 1st-rder Zach Root signs w/ @Dodgers for $2.2 million (slot 40 value = $2,443,600),” Jim Callis said via X. “@RazorbackBSB LHP, high-floor starter, low-90s sinker touches 97 mph, three good secondaries (changeup, curveball, slider).”

Root wound up spending just one season at Arkansas. His career started at East Carolina before deciding to enter the NCAA transfer portal. With the goal of pitching in the SEC and eventually getting drafted, mission certainly accomplished.

In 19 games in Fayetteville, Root wound up leading the Razorbacks with 99.1 innings pitched. He had an ERA of 3.62 with 126 strikeouts to only 35 walks and was a first-team All-SEC selection.

Omaha is really where pitchers can make a name for themselves, even if there is a poor start in there. Two College World Series starts took place with mixed results. Root did not get out of the second inning against LSU, giving up three runs. However, he bounced back nicely against UCLA three days later, giving up no runs on three hits in five innings.

What MLB Draft analysts are saying about Zach Root

MLB Pipeline provided a scouting report on Root ahead of the draft. On an 80-grade scale, the Arkansas product came in at 50 overall. Two pitches were tied for the highest grade at 60, the curveball and changeup. Throwing strikes appears to be both his best and most heart-stopping attribute.

“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,” the scouting report said. “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.”

Being a No. 4 starter for the Dodgers is a little different than other organizations out there. Los Angeles is home to some of the best in baseball, continually signing free agents to massive contracts. Root is hoping he can one day break into the rotation and be a part of a franchise continually competing for World Series titles.

On3’s Chandler Vessels contributed to this report