The Los Angeles Dodgers have always mixed big-league spending with relentless player development. As 2026 approaches, their farm system’s loaded with high-upside talent—this time, it’s prospects with a single, game-breaking tool that jumps out.
We’re talking elite bat-to-ball skills, thunderous power, 80-grade speed, and Gold Glove defense. The next wave in LA feels built around these singular strengths, and it’s hard not to wonder how soon they’ll shake up the Major League roster.
The Rise of Josue De Paula: Dodgers’ Next Elite Bat
Every strong system needs a headliner. For the Dodgers, that’s Josue De Paula heading into 2026.
At just 20, De Paula stands out as one of the most polished young hitters the Dodgers have seen in years. Scouts rave about his elite bat control and strike-zone mastery—he’s got the kind of profile you just don’t see every day.
De Paula’s biggest strength? A plus hit tool and advanced plate discipline. He blends strike-zone control, excellent balance, and sharp barrel awareness to find consistent contact—and does real damage when he connects.
The result: strong exit velocities, but he doesn’t sell out for power. That’s rare for a player closing in on Double-A at his age.
A Future Middle-of-the-Order Fixture?
He’s not your typical free-swinging slugger. De Paula’s approach gives him a shot to hit for both average and power.
If the power keeps growing and the discipline holds, LA might have a long-term impact hitter who could show up at Chavez Ravine before you’d expect.
Zyhir Hope and the Evolution of Dodger Power
If De Paula’s the purest hitter, Zyhir Hope might be the most intimidating power threat in the system. Also an outfielder and just 20, Hope’s raw power jumps off both the field and the scouting reports.
Hope’s got elite bat speed and natural leverage in his swing. Evaluators throw around 30-home-run potential, and it’s not just talk—he’s already showing it in games.
His power isn’t just theoretical. It’s loud, and it’s happening now.
470 Feet of Proof
In 2025, Hope crushed a 470-foot home run in the Arizona Fall League—a rocket that turned heads against real competition. That wasn’t a fluke.
He also launched 13 homers at High-A as a 20-year-old, showing his slugging can last all season. If he tightens up his approach and contact rates, the Dodgers could have a true middle-order masher on their hands.
Kendall George: 80-Grade Speed That Changes Games
While Hope crushes baseballs, Kendall George just outruns everyone. Most consider him the fastest player in the Minor Leagues, and his 80-grade speed has already grabbed attention in the Dodgers’ system.
Speed is one thing, but George makes it a weapon. In 2025 at High-A, he swiped 100 stolen bases—a jaw-dropping number in any era.
His acceleration and instincts make him a nightmare once he’s on first. Pitchers and catchers can’t ignore him for a second.
Impact on Both Sides of the Ball
George’s speed changes more than just the basepaths. In center, he covers massive ground and changes the whole look of an outfield.
His range turns would-be gappers into routine outs. That defensive impact—along with his havoc on the bases—gives him a path to the big leagues, even if the bat’s still coming around.
The System’s Best Arm and a Future Gold Glover
It’s not all bats and burners here. The Dodgers have a top young arm in the minors, plus a potential defensive wizard at shortstop.
Their best arm belongs to a 20-year-old outfielder who brings across-the-board tools and a cannon from the grass. He’s already racked up 18 outfield assists in limited pro time, firing off accurate, high-velocity throws that punish aggressive baserunners.
Noah Miller: Defense-First Shortstop With Gold Glove Upside
On the infield, Noah Miller stands out as the Dodgers’ defensive rock at shortstop. His game isn’t about loud offensive numbers—yet—but about elite instincts and soft hands.
He’s got this precise footwork that just screams Gold Glove potential. The numbers back it up: just 11 errors in 210 starts at shortstop over two seasons.
That’s a pretty wild mark for someone handling such a premium position. Even as his bat tries to catch up, Miller’s glove stays steady and reliable.
The Dodgers’ system keeps stacking up premium, game-changing tools at different spots. Whether it’s De Paula’s hit tool, Hope’s power, George’s speed, or Miller’s defense—there’s always another wave of impact talent coming.
Here is the source article for this story: These are the top tools in the Dodgers’ farm system
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