Next up in our minor league previews is the Tulsa Drillers who, along with the OKC Comets, became Dodger affiliates in 2015. Returning to manage the Drillers is 2007 MLB Manager of the Year Eric Wedge, who joined the organization in the same role last year.
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The 2025 season was a success for the Drillers even though they finished with a losing record. The team surged late in the season, improving from 26-43 in the first half to 40-29 in the second half. That earned Tulsa a postseason berth but they were swept out of the divisional round by Springfield.
A big part of that late season improvement were the additions of James Tibbs III and Zach Ehrhard, who were acquired at the trade deadline and immediately sent to Tulsa. They led the offense with .900 and .857 OPS’s respectively. Chris Newell paced the team with 20 home runs, while Taylor Young tied for the league lead with 44 stolen bases.
For the pitching staff, Jackson Ferris was the rotation’s ace, leading the team with 135 strikeouts in 126 innings while posting a 3.86 ERA. Antonio Knowles recorded 11 saves and Jerming Rosario, once a highly regarded pitching prospect, led the team in appearances with 46.
The 2026 Drillers should get back to the playoffs, by virtue of turning Great Lakes’ losses into their gains. Tibbs III and Ehrhard seem destined for OKC, but it appears that Tulsa will be inheriting the Loons’ outfield. Kendall George, Zyhir Hope and Josue De Paula should reunite and provide lots of excitement at the top of the lineup.
Nelson Quiroz could fit behind the plate, having spent a month in Tulsa last year while batting .333/.393/.441 in 55 games overall. Logan Wagner, a switch-hitter who can move around the infield a bit, could also find his way to the Drillers. Kole Myers signed as an undrafted free agent in 2024 and was one of the Drillers’ best hitters last season. Elijah Hainline, a 7th rounder in 2024, was an on-base machine last season in 106 games across both A-ball clubs and deserves a spot in Tulsa’s infield.
While the offense should be exciting, the pitching staff will feature some of the org’s most intriguing arms. Ferris has a good chance to repeat the level after leading the staff last year. He should be reunited with a pair of strikeout-merchants who joined him last season for the team’s playoff push: Patrick Copen and Adam Serwinowski. Serwinowski was acquired in the Hunter Feduccia trade and led the Midwest League in Ks, while Copen led all Dodgers minor leaguers with 152 punchouts.
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So what would an Opening Day lineup look like?
CF Kendall GeorgeDH Kole MyersLF Josue De PaulaRF Zyhir Hope1B Kyle Nevin SS Elijah Hainline2B Logan Wagner3B Jake Gelof C Nelson QuirozP Jackson Ferris
If guys like Myers, Quiroz and Hainline produce in 2026 like they did in 2025, this is a really strong offensive unit. Then you add some real firepower in the rotation and you have yourself a playoff-caliber club. Tulsa should be one of the more exciting full season affiliates to watch.
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Stay tuned next week as we take a look at the High-A Great Lakes Loons.
