Everybody in the Dodgers organization already knows Josue De Paula can swing a bat. When you rocket through the minor leagues and get the call straight from Double-A at just 21 years old, your offensive profile speaks for itself. You don't post a .974 OPS out of the gate in September without possessing a special gift at the plate.
Yet, talent in the batter's box only buys you so much time in Los Angeles. If the rookie wants to carve out a permanent, everyday home in a star-studded lineup, his glove needs to catch up to his bat. Fast.
The Bat Is Already Playing in the Majors
Let's look at the numbers. Through his first handful of games in the big leagues, De Paula hasn't looked overwhelmed. He carries an elite eye at the plate, drawing walks at a clip that reminds scouts of his minor league traits where he rarely chased pitches outside the zone. Hitters with that kind of plate discipline don't just disappear.
Pitchers quickly realize they can't easily fool him. He works deep counts, waits for his pitch, and drives the ball with authority to all fields. His approach looks years ahead of his actual age.
When you hit like that, managers want your bat in the lineup every single day. But baseball is a two-way game.
The Defensive Reality Check
Nobody hides the truth about De Paula's current defensive standing in the outfield. Critics have pointed out his shortcomings, and the player himself isn't hiding from it.
"I know that's a big area of improvement for me," De Paula admitted to reporters like Fabian Ardaya. "I know I got a lot of hate on it. I'm that type: if I get hate on it, I'm going to focus on it more. So I'm gonna shut a lot of people up with my defense very soon. It's gonna take some time."
That is an honest, refreshing stance. Manager Dave Roberts has echoed similar sentiments, noting that the outfield defense is a work in progress. De Paula isn't in the majors because he's a Gold Glove candidate. He's here because his bat forces the issue. Long-term, however, corner outfield defense dictates whether you play every day or find yourself sitting against tough pitching matchups or late-inning defensive switches.
Getting Help From the Best
Fortunately for the young outfielder, the Dodgers surround their prospects with elite resources. Mookie Betts, a multi-time Gold Glove winner in right field, has stepped in to offer direct pointers on tracking fly balls and positioning. When a veteran of that caliber takes you under his wing, you listen.
Roberts and the coaching staff spend extra hours drilling the fundamental details with him. They know the physical tools exist. It's about repetition, angles, and instinct.
What This Means for the Future
Can a player with defensive question marks carve out a role on a championship-caliber roster? Yes, if the bat is loud enough. But a defensive liability makes a manager's life difficult in tight postseason games where every run saved matters.
De Paula has the right mindset. He isn't making excuses. If he transforms his outfield defense into an average-to-above-average asset, his path to an everyday corner outfield spot opens wide.
The hitting part is solved. Now comes the grind. Watch how he handles his defense over the next year, because that dictates whether he becomes a true fixture in Los Angeles or just a designated hitter with a phenomenal swing.
