Position: LHP
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 226 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/L
Born: 07/02/1996
High School: West Jefferson (OH) HS
Drafted: 38th round, 1149th Overall, 2014 (Dodgers)
How Acquired: Free Agent
Bonus: $100,000
40-man Roster: Yes
Rule 5 Eligible: N/A
Minor League Free Agency: N/A
Options Left: N/A
Overview
Ferguson had Tommy John surgery in his senior year of high school, but the Dodgers drafted him in the 38th round in 2014 and signed him away from West Virginia. He throws a fastball that’s averaged from 93.8 to 95.8 mph during his career, along with a cutter and curve, both of which he throws frequently. He also started throwing a sinker in 2024. He gets solid swing-and-miss rates on all of his pitches, leading to K rates that have mostly been in double figures. He’s had problems with walks at times and with gopher balls in his first few seasons. He has no career platoon split in the majors. Ferguson was mostly a starter in the minors, but has been a reliever in the majors, apart from some “opener” type starts. The Pirates signed him as a free agent for 2025.
2014-16
In his draft year, Ferguson was recovering from the surgery, then the Dodgers gave him limited time in rookie ball during his rehab season in 2015. He pitched at three lower levels in 2016 and did well, walking fewer than a batter every nine innings.
2017-18
Ferguson had a breakout season in 2017, leading the high-offense California League in ERA and striking out 10.3 per nine innings. He did have some control issues, walking four per nine.
In 2018, Ferguson made it to the majors. He opened the season in AA and was outstanding in eight starts, with a 1.38 ERA, then made two starts in AAA. The Dodgers called him up in early June. He started his first three games, which didn’t go so well, then the team moved him to the bullpen, where he stayed the rest of the season. He finished the season with a 3.49 ERA, 2.2 BB/9 and 10.8 K/9, and with much better numbers in relief. After the season, Baseball America ranked Ferguson as the Dodgers’ sixth-best prospect.
2019-22
Ferguson spent the majority of 2019 with the Dodgers, but he had control problems at times, walking 5.4 per nine innings. The Dodgers sent him to AAA several times; he ended up making 13 appearances there and 46 in the majors. With the Dodgers, he had a 4.84 ERA and 1.48 WHIP, striking out 10.9 per nine. He bounced back strongly in the pandemic season, with a 2.89 ERA, 1.4 BB/9 and 13.0 K/9 in 21 games. Near the end of the season, though, he suffered an elbow injury and had to have Tommy John surgery for a second time, costing him all of 2021.
Ferguson returned in 2022, going on a AAA rehab at the end of April. He ended up appearing in 37 games for the Dodgers and put up a 1.82 ERA. He had some control problems, walking four per nine innings.
2023-24
In 2023, Ferguson appeared in 68 games for the Dodgers, including seven as an “opener.” He wasn’t as effective as previously. His walk and K rates were good, at 3.4 and 10.4 per nine innings, but he got hit a little harder, with opponents batting .269 against him. After the season, the Dodgers traded him to the Yankees.
Ferguson had less success with the Yankees, posting a 5.13 ERA through the end of July. He again got hit a little harder than in the past and he also walked 4.3 per nine innings, although he also struck out 11.1. At the deadline, the Yankees sent him to Houston. He posted a 3.86 ERA there. At both stops he probably was affected by some bad luck, as he had a .340 BABIP and a fairly low strand rate of 67%. His xFIP was 3.55, which was actually a little below his career mark. Ferguson’s fastball velocity was 93.8 mph on average, which was at the low end of his norms.
After the season, Ferguson became a free agent and signed a one-year deal with the Pirates for $3M. They may be considering him as a starter, as they indicated they’d try to stretch him out in spring training.
Stats
Transactions
June 7, 2014: Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 48th round, 1149th overall pick; signed on July 3.
June 6, 2018: Contract purchased by the Los Angele Dodgers.
February 5, 2024: Traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to the New York Yankees for Matt Gage and Christian Zazueta.
July 30, 2024: Traded by the New York Yankees to the Houston Astros for Kelly Austin and $750,000 in international bonus pool space.
October 31, 2024: Became a free agent.
January 10, 2025: Signed as a free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates.