The Los Angeles Dodgers may turn to top prospect James Tibbs III to inject much-needed life into their slumping offense as they prepare for their upcoming homestand. With rosters expanding from 26 to 28 players for September, the team is looking to leverage the additional spot to revitalize a lineup that has struggled through a 13-14 record in August.
Manager Dave Roberts has indicated a preference for a left-handed hitter to balance the current right-handed heavy roster. While Dalton Rushing could potentially fill that role, Tibbs is emerging as the leading candidate for a call-up. Tibbs, a former first-round pick and the No. 7 prospect in the Dodgers' farm system, has been a standout performer in Triple-A this season. The 23-year-old outfielder is batting .295 with 27 home runs, 96 RBIs, and a .965 OPS. He demonstrated consistent performance in August, hitting .326 with an even walk-to-strikeout ratio. After overcoming a forearm injury earlier in the season, Tibbs has shown nearly MLB-quality defense in the outfield, according to evaluators.
Roberts suggested that Teoscar Hernández could continue to see time in left field, but noted the need to make decisions based on team performance, referencing Hernández's significant splits against left-handed (.809 OPS) and right-handed (.668 OPS) pitching. Tibbs, a natural left-handed hitter, has been increasingly seeing defensive action in left field over the past few weeks, with seven of his last ten defensive starts at the position. His day off on Sunday at the Oklahoma City affiliate further fueled speculation about an imminent call-up.
Other potential left-handed hitting options for the Dodgers include Ryan Ward, Hyeseong Kim, and Alex Freeland, all of whom are already on the 40-man roster and have prior MLB experience. Ward could provide immediate help in left field, while Kim or Freeland might be utilized at second base. However, as of Sunday night, Roberts had not finalized the decision.
Top-ranked prospect Josue De Paula, another promising left-handed outfielder, is not currently being considered. Despite his impressive numbers in Double-A, he has yet to reach Triple-A, and the team is reportedly cautious about rushing his development due to defensive question marks.
In addition to potential position player additions, the Dodgers are also set to welcome back catcher Will Smith from a three-month absence due to a neck injury. His return is expected to necessitate a roster move, potentially involving Ben Rortvedt. The team is also seeking reinforcements for center field following Andy Pages' injury and plans to call up an extra pitcher amid concerns about Roki Sasaki's blister, Shohei Ohtani's pitching plan, and bullpen usage. Justin Wrobleski is considered a likely candidate for the pitching staff.
These roster adjustments are crucial for the Dodgers as they aim to overcome their recent struggles and position themselves for a successful postseason push. Unlike in some previous seasons where September call-ups were largely formalities, this year's additions could prove pivotal to the team's season trajectory.