20-05-2025
19-Year-Old Dodgers Phenom Turned Heads Against MLB Veteran Twice His Age Saturday
Los Angeles Dodgers 19-year-old phenom Josue De Paula had a game to remember Saturday night for the High-A Great Lakes Loons.
And it came against a familiar face.
De Paula, the Dodgers No. 2 prospect (MLB Pipeline's No. 35 overall), was 3-for-6 with two home runs and four RBI in a 13-5 victory over the Dayton Dragons.
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His two home runs came off 38-year-old MLB veteran Wade Miley, a player twice De Paula's age.
Returning from Tommy John surgery, Miley, who signed a minor league deal with the Reds in January, was making his third rehab start for the Dragons. In three starts with Dayton, Miley has struggled, going. 0-2 with four home runs allowed and a 15.88 ERA in five and two-thirds innings.
In 2023, Miley made 23 starts with the Milwaukee Brewers, recording a 3.14 ERA and 1.14 WHIP on his way to a 2.6 wins above replacement. He made only two starts for Milwaukee last season before undergoing surgery.
De Paula, who signed with the Dodgers as an international free agent in 2022, has been tearing it up for Great Lakes this season.
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Josue De Paula against the Chicago White SoxMark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
In 31 games, De Paula is slashing .307/.428/.553 with six home runs, 17 RBI and 23 walks compared to 22 strikeouts. Earlier this year, ESPN MLB Insider Kiley McDaniel had De Paula listed as his No. 20 overall prospect, comparing him to Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez.
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De Paula was born in Brooklyn before moving to the Dominican Republic. He's the second cousin of former New York Knicks great Stephon Marbury and fellow NBA player, Sebastian Telfair.
He isn't the only young phenom turning heads at the plate for Great Lakes this season. 20-year-old sluggers Zyhir Hope (Dodgers No. 5 prospect) and Kendall George (Dodgers No. 13), and 21-year-old Logan Wagner (Dodgers No. 24) have combined to hit 14 home runs and 60 RBI.
Related: Dodgers Get Bad News on Former 1st-Round Pick
