When the 2025 MLB Draft gets underway, the Los Angeles Dodgers won’t have a selection until after the first round has been completed.
However, if history is any indicator, the Dodgers will do just fine when their time comes with the 40th and 41st overall picks as part of the Competitive Balance Round A portion of the draft.
Looking back at some of the top draft picks this century (since 2000) for the Dodgers, the franchise has certainly hit on some gems in the first round, but also has a knack for finding diamonds in the later rounds as well.
Here, we list the top five Dodgers draft picks of the 21st century, ranking them by Wins Above Replacement (WAR) as measured by Baseball Reference.
Nathan Eovaldi (11th round, 2008) — 23.8 bWAR
The two-time All-Star was drafted by the Dodgers and made his debut with the franchise (pitching in 32 games overall for the Dodgers), but has produced more bWAR outside Chavez Ravine than inside it.
After being traded by the Dodgers to the Miami Marlins on July 25, 2012, Eovaldi eventually would have a bit of revenge against his former team. As part of the Boston Red Sox, Eovaldi allowed three hits and one earned run over three appearances (8.0 innings) in the 2018 World Series, captured by Boston in five games.
Cody Bellinger (4th round, 2013) — 28.0 bWAR
Bellinger won Rookie of the Year with the Dodgers in 2017 and captured the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 2019, the same year he won his only Gold Glove to date.
Since being non-tendered by the Dodgers in 2022 following a pair of subpar seasons, Bellinger has played for the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees. His time in Chicago included a rebound year in 2023 when he posted 4.8 bWAR, the second-best mark of his career.
Russell Martin (17th round, 2002) — 38.7 bWAR
A four-time All-Star, Martin was originally drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 35th round of the 2000 MLB Draft. However, the Montreal native would make a big splash with the Dodgers after being picked much earlier in the 2002 draft.
Martin, a member of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, made his debut in 2006 and immediately became the face of the franchise behind the plate. He played six seasons for the Dodgers and split his other eight seasons between the Toronto Blue Jays, Pittsburgh Pirates and Yankees.
Corey Seager (1st round, 2012) — 39.7 bWAR
Making his debut in 2015, Seager has made a postseason impact for both the Dodgers and Texas Rangers, earning World Series Most Valuable Player honors for both franchises.
In his first full season in 2016, Seager burst onto the MLB scene by slashing .308/.365/.512 in 687 plate appearances with 26 homers and 72 RBI. He won the NL Rookie of the Year that season and finished third in MVP voting.
Clayton Kershaw (1st round, 2006) — 79.8 bWAR
The future Hall of Famer just posted his 3,000th career strikeout, one of just 20 pitchers to ever accomplish the feat.
Kershaw has only played for the Dodgers since making his MLB debut on May 25, 2008. Now in his 18th season with the club, Kershaw owns three NL Cy Young Awards and one NL MVP honor while finishing as the league’s ERA leader on five different occasions.
