Los Angeles Dodgers top prospect Josue De Paula hoped his performance at the MLB Futures Game helped his chances of reaching the big leagues with the defending champions.
More news: Dodgers Surprisingly Expected to Pursue Key Upgrade at Trade Deadline, Says Insider
“I do want to get to L.A. I hope that’s in God’s plans,” De Paula said. “At the end of the day, we never make the decisions. We’ve just got to focus on what we need to do on the field and whatever happens, happens.
“But I really do hope I become a Dodger and I stay there for a very long time.”
While De Paula’s goal is reaching MLB with the Dodgers, the 20-year-old worked with New York Mets star Juan Soto and Cincinnati Reds star Elly De La Cruz in the offseason.
De Paula spoke about what he gleaned from two of the league’s biggest stars.
“Just a lot of stuff on the mental side because I feel like the physical ability is always there. Just about how to move and how to go about your season. A lot of mental tips,” De Paula told MLB Network.
De Paula hit a three-run homer to give the National League a 4-2 victory in the Futures Game. The 416-foot bomb earned him the Futures Game Most Valuable Player award, and it was a huge personal feat for the prospect, who is in his fourth season in the Dodgers farm system.
With High-A Great Lakes Loons this season, De Paula has 10 home runs, 26 stolen bases and an .834 OPS in 78 games.
More news: Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw ‘The Best in The Game,’ Says Padres All-Star
Photo Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Have you joined our Discord Channel yet? Be a part of the ultimate Dodgers Nation community and get VIP Nation Access! Don’t miss out on real-time Dodgers talk, call-in access to Dodgers Dougout, behind-the-scenes content, exclusive interviews, giveaways, and more!