Dodgers Reportedly Want RHP Patrick Forbes amid 2025 MLB Draft Rumors

After a flurry of offseason signings, the Los Angeles Dodgers' first selection in the 2025 MLB draft won't come until pick No. 40 overall in the Competitive Balance Round A.

Per The Athletic's Keith Law, the Dodgers' preferred pick would be Louisville pitcher Patrick Forbes if he is still on the board.

The Dodgers will pick back-to-back at 40 and 41, acquiring the latter pick from the Cincinnati Reds as part of the Gavin Lux trade in January.

It might require some luck on the Dodgers' part for Forbes to be available when their turn comes up. Law has him ranked as the No. 32 prospect in the class. MLB.com has him one spot higher at 31.

After starting his college career in 2023 as a two-way player, Forbes stopped hitting midway through his sophomore year due to a hand injury suffered when he was hit by a pitch.

Being able to focus solely on pitching has done wonders for Forbes. The right-hander's 4.42 ERA this season is higher than you would normally see from a borderline first-round talent, but a lot of the peripheral stats are very encouraging for MLB coaching staffs to work with.

Forbes struck out 117 in 71.1 innings in 2025. MLB.com noted his fastball has a high spin rate and sits between 94-96 mph, occasionally touching 100 mph.

One encouraging sign is Forbes had arguably his best stretch of the season under the brightest spotlight. He allowed six runs and struck out 32 hitters in 17 innings (3.18 ERA) over three starts in the NCAA tournament to help Louisville reach the semifinals of the College World Series.

The Dodgers are as good as any team in the sport at developing pitchers with high-level traits who may not have put it all together for whatever reason.

There is plenty of room for Forbes, who only threw 109.2 innings in three seasons at Louisville, to grow after just one year in which he focused all of his efforts pitching.