Dodgers take RHP Gavin Stone in the 5th round of the 2020 MLB Draft

The Dodgers finished up their 2020 MLB Draft by taking Gavin Stone, a right-handed pitcher out of Central Arkansas with their fifth-round selection, the 159th overall pick.

Four of the Dodgers’ six picks were college pitchers, with Stone joining Bobby Miller, Landon Knack, and Clayton Beeter.

Stone, a 6’1 junior, posted a 2.42 ERA in three seasons with Central Arkansas, including a 1.30 ERA in four starts in 2020, with 31 strikeouts and six walks. He pitched mostly in relief in his first two years in college, starting only seven times in 32 games, but moved into the starter’s role this year.

He pitched a no-hitter in his final start of the season, striking out 13 against SE Louisiana on March 6.

“So before the game I really had a feel for two-seam,” Stone told Matthew Schwartz of KAIT8 TV. “And I knew that I was going to use it a lot. And so I just stayed two-seam in, slider away and they never adjusted and it ended up working out for us.”

Stone was rated the 303rd best-prospect in the draft by Baseball America, who noted, “Stone doesn’t have a true plus pitch, but he has three average offerings including a 90-92 mph fastball. He locates his changeup and breaking ball well, with his above-average control proving to be his best asset.”

The penultimate pick in the draft has a recommended bonus slot value of $327,200.

“The thing with Stone was he always put his team first. He just wanted to help his team win,” Central Arkansas head coach Allen Gum said. “A really, really great teammate. Those are the things we’ll remember about him for a long time.”