The Los Angeles Dodgers have promoted highly touted prospect Josue De Paula from Double-A to bolster their lineup amid injuries to key players Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman. A source confirmed the move on Wednesday.
Ohtani is currently dealing with issues in his left knee and right arm, while Freeman is experiencing discomfort in his right knee. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated Wednesday that an injured list stint for Ohtani was being considered, though he stated it was not an option for Freeman. Neither star player was in the Dodgers' lineup for Wednesday night's game.
De Paula, ranked as the sixth-best prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline, represents an aggressive move by the Dodgers' front office. The 21-year-old outfielder is having a strong season in Double-A Tulsa, batting .303 with 27 home runs, 101 RBIs, 87 walks, and 81 strikeouts. He has also recorded 31 stolen bases and is a two-time participant in the MLB Futures Game, earning MVP honors last season.
While De Paula's long-term defensive capabilities as a corner outfielder are still a question, he has reportedly made improvements this year. His immediate value to the Dodgers will be as an additional left-handed hitting option, a need amplified by Ohtani's recent absences and Freeman's slump.
The Dodgers had other left-handed hitters in Triple-A, including rostered players Ryan Ward and Hyeseong Kim, and highly regarded prospect James Tibbs III. However, De Paula was already slated to be added to the 40-man roster this offseason to be protected from the Rule 5 draft. His offensive potential makes him the choice for a straight call-up from Double-A.