The Los Angeles Dodgers have one of the best farm systems in baseball, and they’re proving it again with prospects winning most valuable player awards in at three different levels of the minor leagues this season.
Dodgers rookie Josue De Paula has been named the Most Valuable Player of the Texas League, capping off a huge season for the talented hitter.
Additionally, Easton Shelton of the Single-A Ontario Tower Buzzers is MVP of the California League, and Chuck Davalan of the High-A Great Lakes Loons is MVP of the Midwest League.
How did three Dodgers prospects win MVP awards?
The Dodgers’ minor league affiliates featured plenty of star power in 2026.
Shelton of the Tower Buzzers was honored because he “dominated this year’s Cal League after an exceptional season where he swung a .297 batting average, posted an on-base percentage of .403 and a .644 slugging percentage,” the team said in a news release.
He also performed at a level previously matched by stars on their way to the big leagues.
“Shelton captured headlines this year with his record setting 37 home runs, surpassing Ryan Ward’s previous Dodger prospect record of 36, and 112 runs batted in, shattering Cody Bellinger’s 103 RBI Dodger prospect record,” the Buzzers said.
For Davalan with the Loons, success came from performing at a high level — he had a .937 OPS — while leading the team with 115 games played.
“Davalan smashed 24 home runs and a league leading 29 doubles,” the team said. “The Waterloo, Ontario, Canada native set a Great Lakes franchise record with seven leadoff home runs. Davalan posted 235 total bases, pacing all of High-A.”
While those feats have surely been impressive, it’s the third minor-league MVP that has Dodgers fans most excited.
Josue De Paula’s breakout year continues
De Paula, the electrifying 21-year-old Dodgers rookie, was named MVP of the Texas League, an honor that commemorates his stellar season in the minors before becoming a fan-favorite in LA.
De Paula, 21, hit .303/.401/.547/.948 with 27 home runs for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, adding 104 RBIs and 31 stolen bases as well this season, per Baseball Reference.
Those exciting stats had fans begging for the Dodgers to give the talented youngster a chance in the major leagues, and so far, he hasn’t disappointed.
In his 10 games in the majors thus far, De Paula has actually outperformed his minor-league statistics in some cases.
He’s slashing .286/.474/.500/.974 with one homer and three doubles, as well as a stolen base.
Where’s he’s really excelling, though, is with his eye at the plate.
He’s been walked 10 times and only struck out four, drawing comparisons to stars like Juan Soto just a few weeks after his big-league debut.
The Dodgers may not be done yet
While three minor-league MVPs is nothing to sneeze at, there’s a chance the Boys in Blue could be adding a fourth.
“If James Tibbs III wins the Pacific Coast League MVP, Dodgers prospects will go 4/4 in League MVP races,” notes Austin Brubaker.
That award is expected to be announced next month, so keep your eyes peeled, Dodgers fans.
More hardware could be on the way for the organization.
