PHOENIX — Dodgers’ Top Prospect Flashes Family Connections and Confidence

The Dodgers’ leading prospect recently stumbled upon an old photo while browsing through his phone. It featured Josue de Paula alongside former All-NBA guard Stephon Marbury. Strikingly, this wasn’t taken during a sports event but rather at a family gathering in New Jersey. De Paula’s mother, Joy Sanders, is Marbury’s cousin.

“I used to see him quite a bit when I was younger,” De Paula recalled, noting his Brooklyn roots.

Interestingly, de Paula’s family tree also includes Sebastian Telfair, another notable figure in New York basketball history.

“It’s pretty cool to know I have some NBA lineage,” de Paula added.

The 20-year-old corner outfielder seems to have inherited more than just athleticism. His family background contributes to a natural self-assuredness, evident in his demeanor during batting practice and interactions with teammates at the Dodgers’ spring training complex.

There’s a question looming in the air: Could he make it to the majors this year?

“I think that’s a real possibility,” de Paula said with a confident smile. “Just enjoy playing, stick to your game, and everything else will fall into place.”

It’s worth mentioning that de Paula has only played a handful of games at Class A or above. Nevertheless, scouts regard him as a promising hitter, noted for his smooth left-handed swing. Standing at 6-foot-3, his charm is complemented by his bilingual skills—he speaks with a Brooklyn accent in English and adopts a Dominican tone in Spanish.

While his offensive talents stand out, there’s a pressing need for improvement on defense before making a significant league debut.

Emphasizing Defensive Skills

“It emphasizes the importance of defense,” said Andrew Friedman, President of Baseball Operations. “It’s easy to talk about, but being intentional and consistent is another matter entirely.”

Friedman is optimistic that de Paula’s exposure to major league camp will enhance his skills. “When you witness the consistency of our current players, it opens your eyes in a way that you need to see firsthand.”

De Paula appears eager to take on the challenges presented.

Influenced by his father, who hails from the Dominican Republic, de Paula was drawn to baseball over basketball, even though basketball is popular in his maternal family. His journey took a major turn when COVID-19 hit while he was a student at Benjamin Cardozo High School.

“I wanted to pursue baseball, but the scene in New York was limited, so my dad suggested, ‘Let’s find you a place to play,’” he recounted. De Paula eventually joined the El Niche Baseball Academy in Santo Domingo at 15, a place that has produced notable talent like Juan Soto. He settled into a house with about 35 other aspiring players.

“There were about three bunk beds per room, sometimes four,” he explained, recalling bouts of homesickness. His parents made a birthday visit, but he remained determined. He maintained the mindset that if he was skilled enough to be selected among the best, he would be.

On January 15, 2022, he signed with the Dodgers for $397,000. Since then, he’s emerged as one of their top hitters, joining what Friedman describes as “the most talented group of outfield prospects I’ve ever seen.”

This group includes players like Jehir Hope and Eduardo Quintero. De Paula was named MVP at the 2025 Futures Game and, according to the Dodgers’ strategy, he needs to elevate his hits to better leverage his speed. Last year, he launched 12 home runs across 102 games in High-A and Double-A.

“It’s all about adjusting your angle and positioning your body correctly for the swing,” he explained as he considers how to harness his power.

Facing MLB pitchers like Tyler Glasnow on the first day of camp, De Paula felt unfazed. “I focus on just letting it flow. Overthinking can bog you down,” he said simply.

Being tagged as a potential star doesn’t weigh heavily on him. “I’m confident in my abilities and the lessons learned in the minors,” he said. “If I step up, nothing will really change. It’s the same game, just in a new venue.”

And, in a sense, just like his family history—same story, different sport.