Josué de Paula shines with his first home run in the Major Leagues
Dominican talent Josué de Paula, ranked as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ number one prospect, experienced an unforgettable day this Sunday by hitting the first hit of his Major League career, an impressive 416-foot home run that contributed to his team’s victory over the Miami Marlins.
At 21 years old, De Paula has begun to justify the high expectations surrounding his rise. Just two days after his debut at the highest level of baseball, the outfielder showed his power against Dominican pitcher Eury Pérez during the fourth inning of the game.
A power hit against a 98 mph fastball
The stellar moment occurred when De Paula, after studying five pitches, deciphered a 98-mile-per-hour fastball that stayed in the strike zone. With a powerful swing, the prospect sent the ball to the second deck of right field. According to Statcast data, the hit reached an exit velocity of 108.2 miles per hour, traveling a distance of 416 feet.
This historic hit is no coincidence, as the young player had been showing remarkable discipline at the plate, accumulating three walks in his previous appearances, which reflected his patience and good judgment before achieving his first extra-base hit.
I felt calm, very focused. I was making good decisions in my shifts and I was confident that the results would come soon.
Josué de Paula
Dave Roberts’ confidence in the prospect
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has not hidden his satisfaction with the Dominican player’s performance. Roberts highlighted the young man’s mental maturity, stressing that at no point has he been intimidated by the Major League stage.
- The home run was the first hit of his MLB career.
- De Paula is currently considered the top prospect in the Californian organization.
- He showed advanced plate discipline even before getting his first hit.
With this performance, Josué de Paula begins to consolidate his name on the Dodgers’ roster, demonstrating that he possesses the necessary tools to stand out in the elite of professional baseball.
