Root relies less on his fastball and more on a pitch assortment featuring a changeup, curveball and slider that produced 126 strikeouts in 99⅓ innings last season (fifth in NCAA Division I).

The Dodgers had 21 picks in the 2025 MLB Draft, which began on Sunday, July 13 in Atlanta and ran through Monday, July 14. With their first selection, the Dodgers drafted Arkansas pitcher Zach Root with the 40th overall pick, the first time the Dodgers took a pitcher with their first draft pick since Maddux Bruns in 2021.

MLB Draft concluded on Monday as part of All-Star Week in Atlanta, which saw the Los Angeles Dodgers make 17 selections to follow up on their four picks on the first day.