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Top prospect Josue De Paula is heading to MLB Spring Training with the Dodgers.
When the Los Angeles Dodgers arrive in Glendale, Arizona, for MLB Spring Training, a pair of elite prospects will be with them. Outfielders Josue De Paula and Zyhir Hope have both earned invitations to spring camp, the team announced (relayed by Sonja Chen of MLB.com). De Paula and Hope are the consensus No. 1 and No. 2 prospects in the Dodgers system, respectively. De Paula has reached No. 15 overall on MLB.com‘s top 100 list, while Hope sits at No. 27.
The Dodgers landed De Paula as an international free agent in 2022. The lefty swinger burst onto the professional scene with a tremendous .349/.448/.522 slash line in the Dominican Summer League as a 17-year-old. De Paula topped out at Double-A last season. The 20-year-old ranked 21st on ESPN’s top 100 prospects list, drawing a comparison to Yordan Alvarez.
Hope was one of the prospects that L.A. acquired in the January 2024 trade that sent Michael Busch to the Chicago Cubs. He had limited experience in the Complex League at the time of the deal. Hope has since rocketed up the Dodgers’ minor league ranks, jumping three levels in the span of a year. The 20-year-old outfielder wrapped up the 2025 campaign at Double-A.
Los Angeles Dodgers Boast Two Young Outfield Standouts
De Paula has flashed an enticing combination of power and speed in his brief time as a pro. He compiled a 10-homer, 27-steal season across 107 games between Single-A and High-A in 2024. De Paula repeated High-A to begin last year. He popped 12 home runs and stole a career-high 32 bases with Great Lakes. De Paula delivered a strong 142 wRC+ despite turning just 20 years old in May.
A tiny four-game stint at Double-A shouldn’t discourage Dodgers fans about De Paula’s future. He went 0-for-18 in a small sample with Tulsa. The outfielder struck out at an uncharacteristic 26.3% clip at the level. His plate discipline has been excellent at every stop, so it’s likely a bit of sample size noise. De Paula had a walk rate of 13.5% or better at every level prior to Double-A. His strikeout rate regularly sat in the 20% range.
Hope has provided similar production at around the same age. As a 19-year-old in 2024, he posted a 143 wRC+ across 54 games at Single-A. Hope opened the 2025 campaign at High-A and continued to mash. The outfielder slashed .264/.377/.428 with 13 home runs and 26 stolen bases over 524 plate appearances. Unlike De Paula, Hope did not stumble in a short stretch at Double-A. He went 6-for-19 with a couple of extra-base hits and a steal in six games at Tulsa.
De Paula and Hope Joined By Other Notable Names
The future Dodgers outfield could feature De Paula, Hope, and another youngster acquired last season. James Tibbs III is heading to Spring Training with the Dodgers. The outfielder came over from Boston in the trade that sent Dustin May to the Red Sox. It was the second time Tibbs was dealt last year, as he was also part of the Rafael Devers deal. The 23-year-old was the 13th overall pick in the 2024 draft. He notched a healthy 155 wRC+ at Double-A after joining the Dodgers organization.
Patrick Copen doesn’t have the same pedigree as the aforementioned outfielders, but he has the best story. The pitcher lost sight in his right eye after getting hit by a comebacker in August 2024. He made it back to the mound last season and will now compete for a roster spot this spring.
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