Los Angeles Dodgers top prospect Josue De Paula is no longer on the active roster after getting sent down to Triple-A, but the major league team had nothing but positive things to say.
De Paula played just 11 games with the Dodgers, but he delivered outstanding offensive production and quickly earned the fanbase’s adoration as a young presence at the plate.
However, he was demoted as Shohei Ohtani neared activation from the injured list. Fans who bought into what the 21-year-old showed were disappointed, but the organization seemed just as reluctant to see him go.
What the Dodgers think of De Paula
After the move was announced, manager Dave Roberts said De Paula, as the team’s default designated hitter, was set to lose at-bats now that Ohtani returned.
Still, De Paula earned a postseason look, and the team will factor him into its plans.
“We had a runway to give him, which we gave him, and he performed more than admirably. He’s a part of the conversation, and he’s earned that, and that’s what I told him last night,” Roberts said to the media, including Dodgers Nation’s Noel Sanchez.
In terms of skill set, Roberts sees all of De Paul’s traits — the plate approach, swing decision, and vision to deliver in the postseason.
“He’s just a special hitter,” Roberts added. “Hitters don’t see the ball that quickly out of hand; it’s a gift. Just the ability to [limit] chase, I think that lines up in the postseason. And no moment is going to be too big for that kid.”
De Paula’s impressive numbers
Through 11 games in the big leagues, De Paul is hitting .323/.500/.545 with a 1.081 OPS. He is getting on base during half of his plate appearances, and he is really making hitters work.
Andrew Friedman, the president of baseball operations, had been following De Paula closely, and despite the otherworldly production, the Dodgers executive was not surprised.
“It’s what you expect, but you never really know until you see it,” Friedman said to the media, including Dodgers Nation.
“But it obviously really stood out, and he’s done everything he can to put himself in a position to be in the conversation for us as we’re making our postseason roster.”
Meanwhile, Josue De Paula gets the chance to show what he can do defensively in Triple-A while the Dodgers decide.
