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Washington Post
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Dodgers prospect De Paula hits 3-run homer to lift NL to 4-2 win in All-Star Futures Game
ATLANTA — Josue De Paula hit a three-run homer in a four-run fourth inning and the National League beat the American League 4-2 on Saturday in the All-Star Futures Game featuring top prospects. The National League is 4-1-1 since the Futures Game moved from a U.S. vs. World format to AL vs. NL in 2019.
New York Times
13-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Scouting notes on the Futures Game standouts and under-performers
I'm going to write this until MLB finally sees the error of its ways or I die in the process of trying to explain it to them, whichever comes first: The Futures Game should be nine innings again. Its current seven-inning format turns it into a Little League event, no offense to Little Leaguers, and detracts from its purpose of promoting the game's rising stars, many of whom will be in the majors inside of a year of playing in this event. Several top prospects got a single plate appearance, or faced one better. Major League Baseball shot itself in the foot the moment they decided to make this seven innings and cede time to the Celebrity Softball Game, which, sorry, I do not and will never care about. I could be playing in the game and I wouldn't care about it. Advertisement Anyway, the 2025 Futures Game was a remarkably well-played affair. There were no defensive gaffes, only one pitcher couldn't find the plate, and we had enough offense to make it interesting (as opposed to years when pitchers dominate because they're all amped up since they're throwing maybe 10-15 pitches and can air it out). The MVP of the game was Dodgers prospect Josue De Paula, because he hit the home run, getting a left-on-left slider from White Sox prospect Noah Schultz and tagging it at 108.5 mph, the hardest-hit ball of the day, out to right-center. Hit a homer, get a trophy. The flip side of all of this is that there weren't many standouts at all; everyone played well, no one played that poorly. Here are some of the players who impressed and a few who underwhelmed (scouting grades are on the traditional 20-80 scouting scale): • Mets right-hander Jonah Tong has an ugly delivery, really — it's straight over the top and he comes across his body — but my word what comes out of his arm is good: 95-97 with big ride and above-average extension, a plus curveball at 78-80 with real depth (boosted by the slot), and a solid changeup. He seems to get to his glove side better than I'd expect given the slot and landing spot. • Mariners right-hander — hang on a second — Jurrangelo Cijntje was 96-98 with a plus slider and good feel for a changeup. He did face one batter throwing left-handed, with his fastball at 93 and slider at 79, but the difference in delivery and quality of stuff is dramatic. Rather than continuing to switch-pitch, I really think he should just throw right-handed at this point. He's at least a No. 2 starter as a right-handed pitcher. The switch-pitching thing is fun until it gets in the way of him becoming a star from the right side. • Cardinals shortstop JJ Wetherholt played the whole game, first as the DH and then as a second baseman. He had two of the hardest-hit balls of the day, a double to left-center on a slider from a lefty and a lineout to center on 95 middle-away. I'm not surprised — he can hit, always has when healthy — but it's good to see him do it against premium stuff. Advertisement • Cubs outfielder Owen Caissie, who may find himself traded before the month is out, was on base three times, with a pair of walks — one of which came after he was called out on strikes, challenged the call, and walked to first base because he was so confident he was correct — and a double the other way on a curveball that stayed up. • Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle had the most impressive 0-for-2 day, as he squared up a pair of pitches for a flyout to deep right-center and another to left field. • Diamondbacks center fielder Slade Caldwell struck out looking in his only at-bat, but he had the defensive play of the day with a diving catch in center. Also, I can confirm that he's 5-foot-7 after shaking his hand. • Tampa Bay picked up right-hander Brody Hopkins from Seattle in the Randy Arozarena trade last year. At the Futures Game, Hopkins was 98-99 with an above-average slider at 86-89 and average or better cutter at 92-93. He has a long arm swing and I don't think he repeats it that well, but it's rotation-ready stuff if he just throws enough strikes with it all. • Atlanta right-hander JR Ritchie started for the NL squad and sat at 97 with an above-average curveball at 82-85, above-average changeup at 77, and a promising slider at 83-84. There might not be a true plus pitch here, so the ceiling may be more like a strong No. 3 starter. He throws strikes and has the pitch mix to be a big-league starter of some sort, and perhaps there's more progress to come as he matures and gets further from his 2023 Tommy John surgery. • Tigers outfielder Max Clark walked and stole second off the pitcher (Ritchie) in the first, then beat out an infield single with an 80 run time (3.89). I saw him and McGonigle on Thursday at Harrisburg as well, and I don't think there should be any concerns about Clark's speed or defense in center. I still think he's going to be a star once the power comes. Advertisement • Yankees shortstop George Lombard, Jr. came close to making the play of the game, ranging far to his right to stop a grounder and nearly throwing the runner out from deep in the hole. He walked and smoked a double to left field on a 94-mph fastball before lining out in his last PA. • Hopkins and Angels right-hander George Klassen had the fastest pitches of the day, both hitting 99; Klassen technically came out on top at 99.2 and every pitch he threw was in the 98.7-99.2 range. With that and a short but sharp slider at 89-92, Klassen could probably pitch in the Angels' bullpen tomorrow. I'm sorry for giving them any ideas here. • There were a couple of players who did underwhelm in the game. Marlins lefty Thomas White returned to the Futures Game, and for the second year in a row he had trouble throwing strikes. He was 95-98 with a slider at 80-84, premium stuff, but half his pitches were called balls and they were bad misses at that. • Schultz gave up the homer to De Paula, and despite arm strength, Schultz's stuff played way down on Saturday. He was 94-97 with a 'sinker' that didn't sink, and the slider at 78-81 wasn't that sharp. He has a low three-quarters arm slot that should give him some deception; the NL hitters he faced were not deceived. • Rockies outfielder Charlie Condon was 0 for 3 and still didn't look very comfortable at all against sliders, the pitch that caused him so much trouble in his pro debut last year. • Mariners catcher Harry Ford nearly decapitated his pitcher on a throw to second, which certainly isn't going to reduce concerns that he can't stay behind the plate. • Finally, Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin showed plus-plus speed twice on groundballs, but left the game after Astros reliever Alimber Santa hit him on the wrist or hand. Early word is he's fine, but I was just imagining the Pirates saying they'd never send another prospect to the Futures Game if Griffin had broken a bone there. (Photo of De Paula: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Futures Game MVP Josue De Paula wants to be a Dodger 'for a very long time'
Dodgers prospect Josue De Paula celebrates after hitting a home run during the MLB Futures Game at Truist Park in Atlanta on Saturday. (Matt Dirksen / Getty Images) The center fielder for the Dodgers' Class A Great Lakes affiliate is a former first-round draft pick. The other two outfielders were selected for the Futures Game. Who's the best outfielder on the team? Advertisement 'We're all good, brother,' said the left fielder, Josue De Paula. 'We've all got talent. We all excel somewhere. 'Us together? It's a dream squad. I don't feel like you see that much talent that often.' De Paula flashed his considerable talent Saturday, hitting a three-run homer that decided the National League's 4-2 victory over the American League and earned him the Futures Game most valuable player award. The only other Dodgers prospect to win that award: infielder Chin-Lung Hu, in 2007. Read more: Shohei Ohtani's solid start sets the tone as Dodgers defeat Giants to end losing streak 'This is definitely motivating for me,' DePaula said. 'Mentally, it was a big moment, to prove, especially to myself, who I really am.' Advertisement De Paula's home run traveled 416 feet, triggering a round of fireworks in the sky and a lump in De Paula's throat as he crossed home plate. 'I was overtaken by emotion,' he said, 'especially doing it in front of my dad.' His father lives in New York City. The Midwest League is far away. Perhaps the major leagues are not so far away. De Paula is 20, but he is in his fourth pro season. The Dodgers signed him out of the Dominican Republic, but he was born in New York City and he is a second cousin of former NBA All-Star Stephon Marbury. 'Baseball called me,' De Paula said. 'I fell in love with it at a young age.' Advertisement Zyhir Hope, the Great Lakes right fielder, also appeared in the Futures Game. He singled ahead of DePaula and scored on the home run, so he was waiting at home plate to congratulate De Paula. 'We do it often,' De Paula said, smiling. Read more: Dodgers coach Dino Ebel's eldest son learned lessons from the pros Hope, also 20, smiled when asked what he liked about De Paula's game. 'Everything,' he said. 'He takes it easily. He's calm, relaxed and laid back, but he works hard. He's a great dude.' Before the season, Baseball Prospectus ranked De Paula and Hope among the top 10 prospects in baseball. Currently, MLB Pipeline ranks both among the top 40. Advertisement De Paula offers power, speed, and advanced plate discipline, although scouts wonder whether he can stick in left field or might need to try first base or designated hitter. Hope has advanced from a good-fielding prospect with uncertain hitting skills in the Chicago Cubs system — the Dodgers got him in the Michael Busch trade — to a gap hitter with speed. This is the time of year, of course, where contenders trade prospects to fill major league needs. Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers' president of baseball operations, rarely trades his top prospects, and De Paula ranks No. 1 in the Dodgers' farm system. On the other hand, the Dodgers need pitching help. 'I do want to get to L.A. I hope that's in God's plans,' De Paula said. 'At the end of the day, we never make the decisions. We've just got to focus on what we need to do on the field and whatever happens, happens. 'But I really do hope I become a Dodger and I stay there for a very long time.' Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Al Arabiya
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Dodgers prospect De Paula hits 3-run homer to lift NL to 4-2 win in All-Star Futures Game
Josue De Paula hit a three-run homer in a four-run fourth inning, and the National League beat the American League 4-2 on Saturday in the All-Star Futures Game featuring top prospects. The National League is 4-1-1 since the Futures Game moved from a US vs. World format to AL vs. NL in 2019. Noah Schultz, a left-hander in the Chicago White Soxs organization, gave up four hits and four runs, including the line-drive homer by De Paula that traveled 416 feet to right-center. De Paula, an outfielder, plays for Class A Great Lakes in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. De Paula, selected the games Most Valuable Player, said the homer is definitely a motivator in his path to the major leagues. 'For me, mentally, a big moment,' De Paula said. 'It proved to me especially to myself who I really am.' Schultz then gave up a single to LuJames Groover, who scored on Owen Caissie's double to left field. New York Yankees infield prospect George Lombard Jr., the son of Detroit Tigers bench coach George Lombard, walked, stole second base, and scored on Braden Montgomery's groundout in the third to give the AL a 1-0 lead. Lombard also had a double. Josue Briceño, a Double-A catcher for Detroit, tripled and scored on Sebastian Walcott's sacrifice fly in the fourth to push the lead to 2-0. Chill bumps for Chipper–Two former Atlanta stars, Chipper Jones and Marquis Grissom, were the managers for the NL and AL, respectively. Jones was an eight-time All-Star third baseman who spent his entire career with Atlanta before becoming a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee in 2018. Jones and Grissom were teammates on Atlanta's 1995 World Series championship team. Grissom caught a fly ball in center field for the clinching final out in the win over Cleveland. 'You can't measure my chill bumps right now with a yard stick,' Jones said when asked about the memory of watching Grissom 'just glide to it and knowing that he's got a bead on it and this puppy's over; it was like it was happening in slow motion.' For starters–Right-hander JR Ritchie, an Atlanta prospect who has pitched for High-A Rome and Double-A Columbus this season, became the 10th pitcher to start a Futures Game in his organizations home park. Ritchie had two strikeouts in a scoreless first inning. Ritchie said he received a phone call from Jones telling him he would start. 'It was unbelievable,' Ritchie said. 'I never thought Chipper Jones would call me.' Left-hander Parker Messick, who is with Cleveland's Triple-A Columbus, had a scoreless first inning for the AL. Father and son–Grissom's son, Marquis Grissom Jr., a right-hander for the Washington Nationals Triple-A Rochester, gave up one run in one inning for the NL while his father was in the opposing dugout. He said he was looking forward to bragging about the win to his father. 'He lost!' Grissom Jr. said. 'He took the L, so he better be ready when I get home!' 'I'm just happy to be a part of this and get a chance to see my son, all the work he's put in to be a part of this and excel his baseball career,' the elder Grissom said, adding, 'the chance to be around the future stars of the game, it doesn't really get any better than that for me.' Switch-pitcher skills–Seattle minor leaguer Jurrangelo Cijntje showed off his switch-pitching skills in his scoreless second inning for the AL. He recorded a strikeout against Jesús Made while pitching from the right side, when threw from the left side while coaxing a fly ball from De Paula before giving up a single to LuJames Groover again from the right side, and then switching yet again to strike out Joe Mack and end the inning.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLB All-Star Futures Game: Dodgers prospect Josue De Paula lifts National League to 4-2 win, earns MVP honors
Josue De Paula's three-run home run led the National League to a 4-2 win over the American League in Saturday's MLB All-Star Futures Game at Atlanta's Truist Park. The NL has won three straight in this minor-league showcase since switching from a U.S. versus World format to the two leagues matched up against one another. De Paula, the Los Angeles Dodgers' No. 1 prospect, launched a 79.5 mph slider left in the middle of the strike zone by Noah Schultz to put the NL on top in the fourth inning. Schultz is the Chicago White Sox's top minor-leaguer. In 78 games for the high Single-A Great Lakes Loons, De Paula is batting .265/.409/.425 with 12 doubles, 10 homers, 30 RBI and 26 stolen bases. Advertisement The AL took an early 2-0 lead on an RBI triple from Detroit Tigers prospect Josue Briceño.
