Arkansas teammates go back-to-back to Los Angeles Dodgers in MLB Draft
By Andrew Olson
Published:
The Los Angeles Dodgers used not one but two first-round picks on Arkansas Razorbacks. Zach Root and Charles Davalan went back-to-back to the Dodgers with picks Nos. 40 and 41 in the competitive balance portion of the opening round.
Root became the 13th Razorback player and seventh Hog hurler to be taken in the first round of the draft. He finished his career with an All-American and All-SEC junior season.
In 2025, Root made 19 starts for Dave Van Horn’s team. Over 99.1 innings, Root posted a 3.62 ERA while limiting opposing batters to a .220 average and striking out a team-high 126.
The Dodgers decided they wanted another Hog in the organization, so Davalan went with the next pick. He’s the 14th Razorback and 8th hitter to go in Round 1.
A draft-eligible sophomore, Davalan was named first-team All-SEC and a second-team All-American by multiple publications. He played in 65 games for the OmaHogs, starting all but 1. He slashed .346/.433/.561 in 2025, leading the team in base hits with 93 while hitting 14 home runs and collecting 60 RBIs. His bat improved in SEC play as he slashed .338/.409/.596, hitting 9 of his home runs and logging 33 of his RBIs.
For Arkansas fans, it will be fun to track how long Root and Davalan remain teammates in the Dodger organization.
Dodgers double up on Arkansas prospects with LHP Zach Root and OF Charles Davalan!
— Owen Hurd (@Owen_FBB) July 14, 2025
Root has four average or better offerings with above average control with a fairly safe floor as a back end SP
Davalan has one of if not the best hit tools in the class with some pop for his size… pic.twitter.com/NCKDD08lTo
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
