Los Angeles Dodgers Farm system: The Dodgers boast one of baseball’s deepest farm systems, headlined by elite fantasy talents like Josue De Paula and Zyhir Hope, with a rich mix of speedsters, power bats, and high-upside arms that make them a perennial pipeline to watch.
Summary
The Dodgers’ farm system remains one of the strongest in baseball, blending elite athleticism, advanced plate skills, and high-upside pitching. At the top of the list are Josue De Paula and Zyhir Hope, two dynamic outfielders with fantasy-impact potential. De Paula is a polished hitter with OBP skills and emerging power, while Hope is a 70-grade runner with explosive tools and the upside of a 30–30 threat. Both have the potential to anchor fantasy rosters in OBP formats and represent the kind of ceiling that makes the Dodgers’ system so exciting.
Beyond those two, the Dodgers have added impact talent through recent drafts and international signings. Kendall George and Eduardo Quintero bring elite speed and on-base ability, while Kellon Lindsey offers game-breaking athleticism with raw power. Zach Ehrhard and Jake Gelof are trending upward as corner bats with improving OBP profiles, and Christian Zazueta emerged in 2025 as a breakout arm with command and projection. These players exemplify the Dodgers’ ability to develop both high-floor contributors and high-upside plays.
On the mound, River Ryan, Patrick Copen and Peter Heubeck headline the high-variance arm group—both with electric stuff but control issues that may push them to the bullpen. Still, the Dodgers’ track record with pitching development gives reason for optimism. Across the board, this system is loaded with athletes, power arms, and fantasy-relevant profiles, making it one of the most fertile pipelines in the game.
AI-Assisted Fantasy Tiers: Methodology and Observations
AI has made significant strides in all aspects of our lives. Over the past four years, I have compiled 500,000 words of personal scouting narratives, which have formed the foundation for training my own AI assistant. This assistant now evaluates prospects and assigns fantasy tiers exclusively based on the insights and observations contained in my write-ups.
After requesting that my AI assistant generate fantasy tiers using this year’s reports, I found that the AI’s rankings generally align with my own assessments. However, there are some cases where the AI’s evaluations differ from my personal rankings. I am sharing those differences here for your consideration.
🥇 Tier 1: Fantasy Impact Targets
- Zyhir Hope – 70 runner with OBP and power upside, possible 30–30 threat
- Josue De Paula – Advanced plate skills, power projection, middle-of-the-order ceiling
- Eduardo Quintero – 70 speed, emerging power, 15–40 upside if hit tool holds
🥈 Tier 2: Everyday-Upside Targets
- Kendall George – 80 speed, elite OBP skills, stolen base monster even with minimal power
- Joendry Vargas – Wrist injury stalled momentum, but long-term power-hitting infielder upside
- Kellon Lindsey – 80 speed, raw power, wide range of outcomes but top-of-the-lineup ceiling
- James Tibbs III – Bat-first corner OF with OBP juice and 20+ homer power
- Mike Sirota – Post-draft breakout, 20+ homer upside, knee injury tempers momentum
- Zach Ehrhard – Contact/speed blend with emerging pop, could be everyday OF
- Emil Morales – 30-HR power potential, but hit tool questions keep him volatile
🥉 Tier 3: Outside of the Impact/Everyday Targets
To see the reset of the tiers, become a Patreon subscriber at Patreon.com/prospect361.
2026 Player Profiles
1. Josue De Paula (OF)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2026 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 30 OF Top 15 1B
- Last Updated: 12/19/2025
- Tools summary: Advanced plate skills, power projection, middle-of-the-order ceiling
Josue De Paula is one of the crown jewels of the Dodgers system—a high-upside bat with real middle-of-the-order potential. He opened 2025 back in High-A and looked fully in control, posting a near-even 19% walk rate and 20% strikeout rate while flashing both power and speed. That level of plate discipline, especially as the sixth-youngest player in the Midwest League, speaks volumes about his maturity and feel for hitting. The Dodgers bumped him to Double-A late in the year, signaling their confidence in his trajectory.
His carrying tool is power, and it’s easy to dream on. De Paula generates excellent bat speed and has room to add significant strength to his 6-foot-3 frame. A 25–30 homer ceiling is realistic once the body matures, though speed likely fades as he fills out. He’s already shifted to a corner outfield spot, and first base could be in play long-term—but the bat will drive the profile regardless. He’s not a burner, but he doesn’t need to be.
For fantasy managers, De Paula is a premium Dynasty asset. His age-relative performance, zone control, and power projection point to Rafael Devers-type production with corner eligibility and OBP value. The timeline may be gradual, but the payoff could be substantial. He’s the kind of prospect you build around in deeper formats, and he’s firmly in the conversation for top-25 overall prospect status heading into 2026.
2. Zyhir Hope (OF)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2026-27 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 30 OF with upside
- Last Updated: 12/19/2025
- Tools Summary: 70 runner with OBP and power upside, possible 30–30 threat
Zyhir Hope might be the latest example of the Dodgers turning a low-profile acquisition into a high-upside asset. Picked up from the Cubs in the Michael Busch deal, Hope entered 2025 as one of the youngest players in the Midwest League and promptly posted a .264/.377/.428 slash line with 13 homers and 26 stolen bases. He hits the ball extremely hard, is a true 70-grade runner, and despite a 26.5% strikeout rate, he doesn’t chase and works walks—traits that suggest underlying plate discipline even with some swing-and-miss.
The Dodgers bumped him to Double-A late in the year, and while it’s still early to project his final form, the upside is tantalizing. Hope could grow into a 30-30 threat with a high OBP, even if the batting average settles around .260. That kind of profile—power, speed, and zone control—is rare, and it’s especially valuable in OBP formats. He’s still raw, and the swing will need refinement, but the foundation is there for a fantasy-impact bat.
For dynasty managers, Hope is a priority add in deeper formats and a strong breakout candidate for 2026. He’s not just a tools bet—he’s showing real performance, and in the Dodgers’ system, that’s worth chasing.
3. Eduardo Quintero (OF)
- Highest Level: High-A ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 OF with upside
- Last Updated: 12/19/2025
- Tools Summary: 70 speed, emerging power, 15–40 upside if hit tool holds
Eduardo Quintero is quickly becoming one of the most electric players in the lower levels of the Dodgers system. Originally signed as a catcher, he’s now thriving in the outfield, where his 70-grade speed and emerging power are starting to shine. In 2025, he added loft to his swing to tap into more over-the-fence juice, and while that initially spiked his strikeouts, he made adjustments midseason that stabilized his contact rate without sacrificing impact. He finished the year in High-A, flashing a blend of athleticism and offensive upside that’s rare for his age.
Quintero’s understanding of the strike zone remains solid, and now that he’s pairing it with real game power, the fantasy ceiling is rising fast. A 15–40 season isn’t out of the question if the hit tool holds, and he’s already showing signs of being more than just a speed-first profile. The positional shift also helps—he’s more likely to stick in the outfield long-term, and that opens up a cleaner path to everyday reps.
For fantasy managers, Quintero is a high-upside stash in deeper dynasty formats. He’s still raw, but the tools are loud, and the adjustments he made in 2025 suggest he’s capable of evolving quickly. If the power continues to grow and the plate skills hold, he could be a category-winner type in roto formats.
4. River Ryan (RHP)
- Highest Level: DNP ETA: 2024 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 30 SP
- Last Updated: 12/19/2025
- Tools Summary: Electric arm, but elbow injury and age (27) adds risk
River Ryan was shaping up to be everything fantasy managers dream about—a late-blooming, athletic righty with a big fastball, deep arsenal, and command to match. In his brief big league stint, he looked like a legitimate top-of-the-rotation starter, missing bats with five or six different pitches and pounding the zone. It was electric, and the breakout felt real. Then came the elbow tear in his fourth start, and just like that, he was shelved for the rest of 2024 and all of 2025. Brutal.
It’s rare to keep a 27-year-old on a Top 100 list, but Ryan earned it. The stuff was that good, and the Dodgers’ development track record gave reason to believe he could return and still contribute meaningfully. If he comes back healthy, he could still be a fantasy asset—especially in redraft formats where age matters less than impact.
For dynasty managers, it’s a tough hold. The upside is still there, but the risk is enormous. If you’ve got the roster space, he’s worth stashing through rehab. But if not, sometimes you have to make hard decisions.
5. Mike Sirota (OF)
- Highest Level: High-A ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 OF
- Last Updated: 12/19/2025
- Tools Summary: Post-draft breakout, 20+ homer upside, knee injury tempers momentum
Mike Sirota might be one of the sneakiest breakout bats in the Dodgers system. After a disappointing draft year at Northeastern, he fell to the third round in 2024—but the Dodgers saw something and kept him in the Complex to recalibrate. That decision paid off in 2025, as Sirota looked like a completely different player: well above-average hard-hit rates, improved swing mechanics, and a mature approach that allowed him to control the zone and tap into real power.
While he showed speed in college, his pro run times have been closer to average, which likely caps his stolen base upside. But the bat is what matters here. Before a knee injury ended his season in July, Sirota posted a monster .333/.452/.616 slash line with 13 homers in just 59 games. The contact skills are solid, the swing works, and the plate discipline gives him a strong OBP foundation. He’s not just a statline guy—he’s showing traits that translate.
For fantasy managers, Sirota profiles as a high-floor, third-outfielder type with 20+ homer upside and OBP value. He’s a buy in dynasty formats and could be a fast riser in 2026 if the knee heals cleanly.
6. James Tibbs III (OF)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2026-27 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 OF
- Last Updated: 12/19/2025
- Tools Summary: Bat-first corner OF with OBP juice and 20+ homer power
James Tibbs III took a winding path to the Dodgers, but his bat is starting to justify the journey. Drafted by the Giants in the first round of 2024 after a standout season at Florida State, Tibbs struggled in his pro debut with a 31% strikeout rate that cooled early hype. Still, the underlying traits—zone awareness, raw power, and collegiate pedigree—hinted at more, and that growth arrived in 2025. He trimmed his K-rate to 21.4%, paired it with a 16% walk rate, and launched 20 homers while slugging .429. He even chipped in 10 stolen bases, though speed likely won’t be a long-term asset.
His development drew league-wide attention, leading to two midseason trades: first to Boston in the Rafael Devers blockbuster, then to the Dodgers in exchange for Dustin May. That kind of movement underscores how valued his bat has become. Tibbs profiles as a bat-first corner outfielder with OBP juice and 20+ homer upside. The swing works, the approach is mature, and if the contact skills continue trending toward league average, he could settle into a .270/.340/.450 type line with middle-of-the-order potential.
For dynasty managers, Tibbs is a strong buy in OBP formats and a name to monitor closely in 2026. He’s not flashy, but he’s trending toward reliability with enough pop to matter.
7. Charles Davalan (OF, #41)
- Highest Level: Low-A ETA: 2028 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 OF or Top 15 2B
- Last Updated: 12/19/2025
- Tools Summary: Compact swing, 15–15 upside, but early-stage projection
Charles Davalan wasted no time making an impression after being drafted 41st overall by the Dodgers in 2025, signing for nearly $400K over slot. A two-year standout at Arkansas, he posted a .346/.433/.561 line with 14 homers and 10 steals before heading to Rancho Cucamonga, where he absolutely torched Low-A pitching in his pro debut. In just eight games, Davalan slashed .500/.541/.735 with a homer and three steals, showing advanced bat-to-ball skills and a compact swing that produces surprisingly hard contact for his 5-foot-9 frame.
Though he played both infield and outfield in college, the Dodgers used him exclusively in center field, suggesting they see enough athleticism to stick there. He’s not a burner, but he’s quick enough to contribute on the bases and cover ground defensively. The swing is efficient, the contact quality is strong, and the early returns suggest he could move quickly through the system.
For fantasy managers, Davalan is a sneaky-good target in First Year Player Drafts. Despite being drafted 41st overall, he’s worth late first-round or early second-round consideration thanks to his hit tool, power-speed blend, and Dodgers pedigree. A ceiling of a .270+ average with 15 homers and 15 steals is realistic, and he’s already showing signs of being more than just a safe college bat.
8. Ching-Hsien Ko (OF)
- Highest Level: Low-A ETA: 2028+ Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 OF with extreme risk
- Last Updated: 12/19/2025
- Tools Summary: Long-levered power, plate discipline, deep stash with pedigree
Ching-Hsien Ko is one of my favorite deep cuts in the Dodgers system. I saw him sign for $650K in June 2024, and I’ve been tracking him closely ever since. He made his stateside debut in the Complex League this past May and immediately showed off his standout tool—raw power. He slugged .539 with four homers in Arizona, and while the promotion to Low-A in July exposed some growing pains, I’m still encouraged by the early returns.
Ko’s swing has natural length at 6-foot-3, so I expect some swing-and-miss to stick around. But he’s walking nearly as much as he’s striking out (17% BB, 20% K), which tells me the zone control is real. He’s an average runner, so there’s a chance for modest speed early on, but the fantasy appeal is all about whether the power translates. I think a .260 average with high OBP and 20+ homer upside is a fair baseline if things click.
I’ve got Ko just outside my Top 100 for now, but I’m keeping him pinned. The Dodgers gave him a meaningful bonus, and I trust their instincts. If they like him, I like him—and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s an impact regular by 2027.
9. Joendry Vargas (SS)
- Highest Level: Low-A ETA: 2028 Fantasy Ceiling: Corner/Middle Infielder with upside
- Last Updated: 12/19/2025
- Tools summary: Wrist injury stalled momentum, but long-term power-hitting infielder upside
Joendry Vargas is still one of my favorite long-term bets in the Dodgers system, even if 2025 didn’t go as planned. The team invested over $2 million to sign him in 2023, and while the early flashes were exciting, the swing-and-miss has been more pronounced than I expected. He’s got excellent bat speed, but the length in his swing leads to frequent in-zone whiffs, and he’s shown a tendency to chase—both areas that need refinement.
The wrist injury that cost him most of 2025 was a tough blow. He returned briefly in August before being shut down again, and that lost development time matters—especially for a player who needs reps to tighten his approach. Physically, Vargas is still a projectable athlete with above-average speed, though I wouldn’t be surprised if he shifts off shortstop and loses some baserunning impact as he fills out.
For fantasy managers in deeper dynasty formats, I’m holding Vargas as a long-term upside play. If the hit tool stabilizes, he could grow into a power-hitting infielder with 20+ homer potential and eligibility at shortstop or third base. There’s pressure on the batting average and OBP, but the ceiling is real if he can clean up the swing and rein in the chase.
10. Alex Freeland (SS)
- Highest Level: Majors ETA: 2025 Fantasy Ceiling: Middle Infielder
- Last Updated: 12/19/2025
- Tools Summary: Solid tools, platoon issues limit ceiling, super-sub likely
Alex Freeland continues to be a solid contributor in the upper minors, but I’ve cooled on his long-term fantasy outlook. He posted a respectable .263/.384/.451 line in Triple-A with 16 homers and 18 steals, earning a promotion to Los Angeles when Hyesong Kim hit the IL in late July. Unfortunately, he struggled in his big league debut—batting just .190 with a 36% strikeout rate—and the flaws in his profile became more apparent.
Freeland has above-average speed and power, and he doesn’t chase much, which I like. But his in-zone contact rate dipped in 2025, and the strikeouts ticked up. The biggest issue, though, is his platoon splits: he’s slugging 100 points less against lefties, and 80% of his power has come against right-handed pitching. That’s been a consistent problem since he reached the upper levels, and I don’t see it going away without a major swing adjustment.
I think Freeland ultimately gets traded, but I wouldn’t expect a Zyhir Hope-type return—teams know what he is. If he lands in the right spot, I could see him carving out a super-sub role with some fantasy utility. But unless he figures out lefties, his ceiling is that of a middle infielder in deeper formats.
