The Los Angeles Dodgers farm system enters the 2023 season with 7 top 100 prospects according to MLB Pipeline. With this large number being good enough to be tied for second for the most prospects in the top 100. With all this talent in the MiLB, it’s very easy to see how prospects can be incredibly overlooked. One name who’s been overlooked so far? Lefty Slugger Josue De Paula. De Paula, a Dominican prospect signed by the Dodgers in January of 2022 for $397,500, has done nothing but turn heads since being signed. Although still very, very young at the ripe age of 17, De Paula has already drawn comparisons to Oneil Cruz, Yordan Alvarez, and Juan Soto. This is certainly high praise, especially for a player as young as De Paula, but the 17-year-old is just looking to make the most of his opportunities.

After playing just 53 games in the DSL in 2022, De Paula began turning heads all across the Dodgers organization. De Paula is currently ranked at number 11 in the Dodgers organization, which is very low when you look at how De Paula played in 2022. Along with this, De Paula also remains unranked in the MLB Pipeline top 100 prospects. In his previously mentioned 53 game stint with the DSL team, De Paula smashed 5 homers, 30 RBI, stole 16 bases, 14.3% BB%, 13.9% K%, .465 wOBA, and a 161 wRC+. Although these numbers are certainly a small sample size, they’re certainly eye opening as to what De Paula is capable of.

De Paula has not only been given Incredibly impressive MLB comparisons, but he’s gotten high praise in terms of grades on his tools. For example, MLB Pipeline currently gives De Paula a 60 grade hit tool, 55 grade power tool, 40 grade run tool, 50 grade arm tool, and an overall 50 grade as a player. MLB Pipeline isn’t the only one to show some high praise for De Paula, as Fangraphs has given the young lefty a 55/65 raw power grade. With clearly all the tools of a future big league star, De Paula has many fans and scouts excited for what the future holds.

Scouts have praised De Paula not only for his excellent raw power, but also his incredible plate discipline. De Paula is known for battling and fighting hard in the box, and is rarely overpowered by pitching he faces, no matter how good it may be. These numbers have helped De Paula draw many more walks, certainly contributing to his previously mentioned 14.3% BB%. Scouts have always been high on De Paula since before he was a Dodger, with some scouts calling De Paula, “The best international prospect in the last decade.” De Paula possesses an elite eye at the plate, again contributing to his elite plate discipline. When watching De Paula, I couldn’t help but notice just how advanced he was for his age. From elite swing choices, to great power, I was incredibly impressed all around.

With De Paula certainly still having a long way to go till he reaches the big leagues, and also having a long way to go until he completely fills out his body, there’s always a chance De Paula could vastly improve his skills and abilities even further. Another 17-year-old who displayed elite plate discipline, good power, and ability to know the strike zone well? Padres superstar Juan Soto. In rookie ball, the level Soto played the most during his 17-year-old season, he would slug 5 homers, 31 RBI, 5 stolen bases, 7.7% BB%, 13.7% K%, .450 wOBA, and a 184 wRC+. These numbers are all strikingly similar to De Paula during his first pro season, so it’s definitely easy to see where his player comparisons come from.

The only area of De Paula’s game that has been criticized so far is his defense, but with the addition of the universal DH, this is no longer an issue. With Andrew Friedman likely learning his lesson about trading young, power hitting lefties through his mistakes with Oneil Cruz, and Yordan Alvarez, it’s safe to say I think the Dodgers will be holding onto De Paula.

With a season or two more of development to come for De Paula, I guarantee you that he will become one of baseball’s best prospects within the next few seasons. Once he reaches the MLB level, we might be seeing a 40 home run bat with elite walk rates, making him incredibly valuable to the Dodgers future team.

De Paula is currently in the Dodgers extended spring training program, but he is certainly a name to remember and to keep an eye on within the next few seasons, and it’ll be interesting to see what his future holds.