The Los Angeles Dodgers aren’t coasting on 2024 World Series glory—they’re building for the future. With $400M spent on free agents like Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki and retaining Teoscar Hernández the Dodgers are not slowing down. But it’s not just about big league acquisitions. Their farm system is loaded with young talent, 4th in MLB Pipeline’s latest rankings.
No team has more teenage position player prospects than the Dodgers and they are ready to cash in on this goldmine. As Vice President of Player Development Will Rhymes said: “We’ve never had this many players this young and this good.”
With long term deals in place for their core players these prospects have time to develop—and when they get here they could take the Dodgers to another level.
Josue De Paula: The Next Yordan Alvarez?
At 19, Josue De Paula is making waves. Ranked #40 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100, De Paula is a hitter with elite exit velocities and good swing decisions.
Signed for $397,500 in 2022, De Paula hit .268/.404/.405 across two A-ball last season, led the system in OBA and was a 136 wRC+ as one of the youngest in the High-A Midwest League.
“Josue is one of the most exciting and projectable young bats in the Minors,” Rhymes said. “He has another gear he can reach, and his underlying numbers are great.”
Emil Morales and Kellon Lindsey: Shortstop Sensations
Two of the Dodgers’ most intriguing shortstops, Emil Morales and Kellon Lindsey, joined the system last year and are already making noise.
- Emil Morales: Signed for $1.897 million out of the Dominican Republic, Morales led the DSL in slugging (.691), OPS (1.169), HR (14) and TB (105) in 46 games. At 6’3” he still has room to grow physically and his offensive ceiling is highest among the Dodgers’ young shortstops.
- Kellon Lindsey: 1st rounder in 2024 with a $3.297 million bonus. Comparisons to Trea Turner at the same stage. Known for speed and defensive potential, Lindsey has made big strides in his strength and swing mechanics this offseason.
“Kellon can fly, is a good defender and could be the most balanced of the shortstops,” Rhymes said.
Ching-Hsien Ko: Taiwan’s New Star
Don’t sleep on Ching-Hsien Ko, a 6’3” 215lb outfielder signed for $650,000 out of Taiwan. He’s only played 9 games in the DSL but scouts are already comparing him to Cody Bellinger. Ko’s lefty swing has natural power and he can lift balls to his pull side.
“He’s enormous, so physical,” Rhymes said. “Great swing from the left side, real power and he looks like a hitter. That power could play right now.”
Breakout Candidates: Zyhir Hope and Brady Smith
The Dodgers also have a few under-the-radar guys ready to pop.
- Zyhir Hope: Got in the Michael Busch and Yency Almonte trade with the Cubs and is already making noise. Despite missing 2023 with a rib injury, he hit .287/.415/.490 at Single-A and was great in the Arizona Fall League. Advanced swing decisions, hard contact and center field defense makes him a 5 tool star.
- Brady Smith: 3rd round 2023 draft pick. Had Tommy John surgery shortly after signing. But his mid-90s fastball, plus slider and improved changeup has scouts excited.
“Brady’s fastball has been coming out hot in the mid-90s with elite metrics,” Rhymes said. “He’s one of our most exciting pitching prospects.”
Bounceback Candidate: Payton Martin
Righty Payton Martin is another to watch. After showing mid-90s heat and a plus slider in his 2023 debut, he struggled last year with nagging injuries.
“Payton’s stuff was down a bit last year while he was dealing with some things,” Rhymes said. “But he’s healthy now and looking more like the pitcher we were excited about in 2023.”