Josue De Paula’s first Major League stay with the Dodgers lasted 11 games, but the 21-year-old left a sharp impression before being sent to Triple-A Oklahoma City when Shohei Ohtani returned from the 15-day injured list. The move opens the designated-hitter spot for Ohtani, while keeping De Paula in position for a possible October call.
A September audition that travelled
De Paula arrived in Los Angeles on Sept. 11, when Ohtani went on the injured list, and stepped into the designated-hitter role without having played above Double-A. The Dodgers had not moved a position player directly from Double-A to the Majors since 2014.
He did not look overmatched. De Paula went 10-for-31, a .323 average, drove in seven runs and scored seven more. In 42 plate appearances, he drew 11 walks against five strikeouts and reached base in exactly half of those trips.
Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, said the club expected De Paula’s talent to show, though there is always uncertainty until a young player faces big league pitching.
“It’s what you expect, but you never really know until you see it,” Friedman said. “But it obviously really stood out, and he’s done everything he can to put himself in a position to be in the conversation for us as we’re making our postseason roster.”
De Paula, ranked as baseball’s No. 6 overall prospect, made his Triple-A debut Wednesday night for Oklahoma City. He batted second and played left field in the Comets’ win-or-go-home Pacific Coast League championship game.
Why Oklahoma City made sense
The Dodgers presently see De Paula primarily as a designated hitter. They believe he can develop into a capable Major League corner outfielder, but he played only six innings in left field during his Los Angeles stint.
With Ohtani back, the everyday DH work is no longer available. The outfield at-bats are crowded, too, and the club expects another roster adjustment before the regular season ends when Dalton Rushing, sidelined by right elbow discomfort, is activated to test a hitter-only bench role.
Manager Dave Roberts said there simply was not enough playing time available for everyone needing a look.
“We have some other guys that need to play, that we got to put eyes on,” Roberts said. “And to be quite frank, there’s just not a lot of at-bats to go around now that Shohei’s back. Still got to get Miguel Rojas some at-bats, Kiké Hernández, some other guys at-bats, too. They’re hard to come by.”
For De Paula, Oklahoma City offers regular work during the Triple-A postseason instead of scattered opportunities on a crowded Dodgers bench.
October remains in view
The timing of Wednesday’s option was important. A player optioned to the Minors must remain there for 10 days before returning, a schedule that would put De Paula back in play for Game 1 of the National League Division Series.
If Los Angeles earns a first-round bye, he could be eligible throughout its postseason run.
Roberts said De Paula has put himself in the October discussion.
“He’s a part of the conversation, and he’s earned that,” Roberts said.
Although De Paula was not on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster on Sept. 1, the club can seek postseason eligibility through the Commissioner’s Office. Such approval can be available for a player who was in the organization by Aug. 31 and takes the place of an injured-list player who has satisfied the required minimum absence. The Dodgers have several potential qualifying injured players.
Los Angeles used De Paula as a pinch-hitter only once during his 11-game stay, and he walked in that appearance. Still, his day-to-day at-bats gave the club confidence in the qualities that could matter in a tight postseason moment: strike-zone control, quick recognition of the ball out of the pitcher’s hand and an unhurried presence.
“He’s just a special hitter,” Roberts said. “Hitters don’t see the ball that quickly out of hand; it’s a gift. Just the ability to limit chase, I think that lines up in the postseason. And no moment is going to be too big for that kid.”
