Has Dodgers’ Teenage Prospect Done Enough to Earn Promotion?
Josue De Paula is the Dodgers’ top teenage prospect. The 19-year-old outfielder, the No. 2 prospect in the organization behind Dalton Rushing, has quickly adapted to being a professional baseball player.
Although a Brooklyn native, the Dodgers signed De Paula to a minor league contract out of the Dominican Republic in 2022. He slashed .349/.448/.522 with five home runs, 30 RBIs, and 42 runs. By the end of his first season, De Paula was named a Dominican Summer League Post-Season All-Star, which led to his promotion to the Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in May 2023.
After 55 games in Single-A, the Dodgers awarded De Paula a promotion to the High-A Great Lakes Loons in June. With 43 games under his belt, it seems De Paula has found his groove.
Brian Kuntz of Dodger Digest reported that De Paula has exhibited discipline at the plate and strong contact skills since being promoted to High-A. Kuntz added that the left-handed batter has made adjustments to his swing and his stance to widen the batter’s box. The changes at the plate have significantly increased the 19-year-old’s production.
As of Friday, De Paula has increased his batting average to .310 throughout his last 12 games. In that period, he has recorded two home runs, five RBIs, 10 runs, and 13 hits.
One of those home runs gave Great Lake the game-tying run against a Milawuakee affiliate in the sixth inning of the Great Lake’s 4-2 victory.
His second homer came five days later, putting Great Lake up by two runs.
According to his MLB.com scouting profile, De Paula trained with four-time Silver Slugger Juan Soto and 2024 MLB All-Star Elly De La Cruz during the offseason. Perhaps training with two MLB stars has helped boost his batting performance this season.
MLB.com projects De Paula to reach the Major Leagues in 2026. But, his recent performance in High-A has caught the attention of another Dodger affiliate.
The Double-A Tulsa Drillers’ X post of De Paula suggests that the young star is inching toward another promotion. Tulsa’s season ends two weeks from Sunday. The Drillers might not have to watch and wait for De Paula through the offseason.
Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
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