Josue De Paula promoted to Dodgers for MLB debut

The Los Angeles Dodgers are promoting top outfield prospect Josue De Paula directly from the Double-A Tulsa Drillers to the Major Leagues. The 21-year-old is expected to make his debut this Friday during a series against the Miami Marlins.

This aggressive move marks the first time in the tenure of Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman that a position player has been promoted straight from Double-A. De Paula has performed exceptionally well this season, batting .303 with 27 home runs, 104 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases in 124 games.

The promotion comes as the Dodgers face injury concerns regarding star players. Shohei Ohtani is expected to be placed on the injured list due to right biceps and left knee issues, potentially opening a spot for De Paula as a designated hitter. Freddie Freeman is also managing right knee discomfort. While De Paula’s offensive capabilities are highly regarded, his defensive skills in the outfield remain a developmental focus for the organization.