Josue De Paula, the No. 6 prospect in all of Major League Baseball, has captured attention across the league with a historic breakout season in the minors. The 21-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Double-A Tulsa Drillers has become the first player in the organization in 2026 to reach 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases in a single season. His performance has fueled speculation that he could be to the majors by September, when rosters expand and the Dodgers look for offensive reinforcements.

A Historic Season in the Minors

De Paula’s stats are staggering: he enters September with a.311 batting average, 26 home runs, 98 RBIs, 29 stolen bases, and an.966 on-base plus slugging (OPS). He hit a dramatic walk-off home run on August 18 against the Amarillo Sod Poodles and has five long balls in his last nine games — his performance in Double-A has earned comparisons to stars like Yordan Álvarez and Corey Seager in their early careers.

According to mlbkor.com, De Paula ranks sixth in the 2026 MLB Pipeline top prospects list and is also the number one prospect for the Dodgers organization. In 588 at-bats with Tulsa, he hit.303 with a.401 on-base percentage and a.547 slugging percentage, while also stealing 31 bases and hitting 27 home runs, but his 27th home run came in a 10-1 win against Northwest Arkansas on Wednesday.

Call-Up to the Majors Imminent

The Dodgers made a decisive move on Friday, officially calling up De Paula to replace Shohei Ohtani, who has been placed on the injured list (IL) due to lingering issues with his left knee and right biceps. According to SPOTV News, manager Dave Roberts stated that Ohtani did not feel well after a swing during the previous game and needed time to recover. This opened a roster spot for De Paula, who will join the team for a weekend series against the Miami Marlins.

De Paula, who was drafted by the Dodgers in 2022, has been one of the most polished young hitters in the system; MLB Pipeline called him the most complete hitter in the organization since Corey Seager. Standing at 6’3” and 185 pounds, De Paula combines raw power with disciplined at-bats and excellent plate coverage.

What’s Next for De Paula?

De Paula is not currently on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster, meaning the team must make another roster move to accommodate him; However, his arrival signals a shift in the Dodgers’ lineup as they seek to inject youth and power into a struggling offense. His potential debut marks a significant moment in the 2026 season and could set the stage for a long-term role with the team.

With his historic season and recent call-up, Josue De Paula is now on the big league radar—and possibly on the field soon.