Dodgers of tomorrow: Josue De Paula is the team’s best prospect

De Paula is 20 years old and will turn 21 at the start of the season in May. He is a left-handed player who bats and throws from the same side.

He is six feet, three inches tall and weighs 185, according to the MLB Pipeline database.

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He was born in Brooklyn, although he moved to the Dominican Republic in high school and signed with the Dodgers for $397,500 in 2022.

The outfielder has family ties with former NBA point guards Stephon Marbury and Sebastian Telfair, being a second cousin of both basketball players.

Where does Josue De Paula rank as a prospect?

MLB Pipeline has him at No. 15 overall, atop the Dodgers’ prospect list. ESPN has De Paula ranked as the Dodgers’ top prospect, at No. 21.

FanGraphs has De Paula as the Dodgers’ top prospect.

The Athletic’s Keith Law has DePaula ranked No. 20 overall and the Dodgers’ No. 2 prospect.

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Finally, in Baseball America’s preseason rankings, DePaula is ranked 24th overall and also the Dodgers’ No. 2 prospect.

How did Josué De Paula do in 2025?

De Paula split his time in High-A with Great Lakes and Double-A with Tulsa Driller. He played 98 games for Great Lakes, hitting .263/.406/.421 with 12 home runs and 44 RBIs, along with 31 stolen bases.

In Double-A, he only played four games, failing to get a hit in 18 at-bats and walking only one.

In 2026, De Paula should be tested with a one-season stint with Tusla, which will be a great test of his caliber as a prospect.

If he could show power and reach a level, he could quickly move to Triple-A by the end of the year.

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Scouting Report Josué De Paula

According to MLB Pipeline and FanGraphs, De Paula projects to enter the majors in 2027, which makes sense considering he has yet to prove himself in Double-A and Triple-A.

Fortunately for De Paula and the Dodgers, both sides can afford to wait and see how it plays out, as the Dodgers have an experienced and productive outfield for the time being.

However, with Teoscar Hernández hitting free agency after 2026, De Paula could have a path to assured playing time if he has a big 2026 or, at worst, has a shot at the outfield platoon in 2027.

Here’s what Doug McKain of Dodger Nation has to say about De Paula as a player and his project for the next few years.

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“De Paula’s upside at the plate is what has the Dodgers so high on potential. He has advanced knowledge of the strike zone, doesn’t chase, hits the ball hard and always seems to swing at the right pitches,” McKain said.

“The only question about De Paula right now is whether the hard contact he constantly receives will give him more power. He hit 12 home runs in 445 plate appearances in High-A and Double-A last season.

“If De Paula can figure out how to make the ball fly off his bat and into the stands more often, then watch out, he could end up as the best prospect in baseball.”