As top prospect Josue De Paula’s historic offensive surge ignites the Los Angeles Dodgers, his elite plate discipline and sudden emergence could force Teoscar Hernández out of town.
Josue De Paula has immediately attracted attention with his bat since the Los Angeles Dodgers promoted him directly from Double-A on Sept. 11.
De Paula became the first position player called up directly from Double-A during Andrew Friedman’s tenure. His defense remains a weakness, but Shohei Ohtani’s injury created an opportunity for him to contribute as the designated hitter.
A bright future
De Paula is hitting .286/.474/.500 with three doubles, a home run, seven RBIs and a .974 OPS in 10 games with the Dodgers.
The plate discipline and offensive ability that made him the Dodgers’ top prospect and the No. 6 prospect in MLB have already been evident.
De Paula cannot participate in the postseason because he was not on the 40-man roster by Sept. 1, but his performances have strengthened the optimism surrounding his future.
De Paula will eventually experience a slump and need to adjust, as every young MLB hitter does. His early production nevertheless suggests that even if he begins next season in Triple-A, he might not remain there for long.
Finding him a role with the team will become more complicated once Ohtani returns and reclaims the designated hitter position. De Paula would need an outfield spot, potentially placing Teoscar Hernández’s job in jeopardy.
Hernández has one season remaining on his contract, and his overall production has declined considerably since his 2024 All-Star campaign. He is hitting .266 with 15 home runs, 63 RBIs and a .758 OPS in 119 games this season.
However, Hernández has improved this month, going 24-for-67 (.358) with three home runs and 17 RBIs in 18 games.
What’s next for De Paula?
De Paula has impressed offensively and continues working to improve his defense. If he becomes dependable in the outfield, he should eventually replace Hernández.
Trading established stars has not typically been the Dodgers’ approach, but De Paula needs regular playing time. Hernández is nearing his 34th birthday and retains trade value.
He is also not an outstanding defender, making him the most logical outfielder to replace. Kyle Tucker and Andy Pages are not expected to lose their spots.
Los Angeles has not determined De Paula’s role for next season. The organization has seen that his bat can handle MLB pitching but could still send him to Triple-A before making him an everyday player.
De Paula has advanced strike-zone judgment. He does not rely exclusively on natural power because he can recognize pitches, avoid chasing and force pitchers into favorable counts.
That discipline should help him survive inevitable struggles. Young hitters must respond when opponents identify weaknesses and attack them repeatedly. De Paula’s ability to remain patient gives him a foundation for making those adjustments.
His willingness to improve defensively will determine how quickly the Dodgers can create a permanent role. Regardless of where he begins next season, his early success has already become a threat to Hernández’s future in Los Angeles.
