Dodgers Make Josue De Paula’s Defense an Offseason Priority

The Dodgers want Josue De Paula to improve his outfield defense as they consider a larger role for their 21-year-old hitter in 2027.

General manager Brandon Gomes described that priority at Wednesday’s end-of-season news conference, J.P. Hoornstra reported for Dodgers on SI. The club worked on De Paula’s defense during his September call-up, including early sessions with coach Dino Ebel.

The official season totals show why his bat has attracted attention. De Paula had 10 hits and 11 walks in 42 plate appearances, batting .323 with a .500 on-base percentage. He struck out five times and collected three doubles, a triple and a home run.

His defensive sample was much smaller: six innings in left field across two games, with one putout and no errors. Those totals offer little evidence of how he would handle an everyday assignment.

De Paula then walked twice in three postseason plate appearances. His next challenge is building a defensive case to accompany that early offensive production.