Over a 162-game season, rosters change drastically. Whether it’s the result of trades, injuries or the promotion of top prospects, a club’s Opening Day lineup is often notably different than its September iteration.
Being able to withstand these changes can be the key to success, and no team knows that better than the Dodgers.
COMPLETE DODGERS PROSPECT COVERAGE
On their path toward becoming back-to-back World Series champs last season, the Dodgers put their organizational depth to the test. Five players made their Major League debut, including Roki Sasaki and Dalton Rushing — the club’s top two prospects entering the season, respectively. Additionally, four other players — led by Ben Casparius — exhausted their prospect status with full seasons in the bigs.
As we gear up for the 2026 season, Los Angeles has a new crop of Minor Leaguers ready to contribute. Here are seven players on the Dodgers’ Top 30 Prospects list who could reach the bigs in 2026:
Josue De Paula, OF (No. 1/MLB No. 13)
De Paula, who will turn 21 on May 24, pairs his smooth left-handed swing with 60-grade pop and smart swing decisions to do damage at the dish. Last season, he fanned just five more times than he walked (86 K/81 BB) and posted an .827 OPS with 12 homers over 98 High-A contests before spending his final four games of the season at Double-A. De Paula’s high exit velocities — like the 108.5 mph, 416-foot homer that earned him All-Star Futures Game MVP honors — and polish at the dish make him a candidate to rise through the upper levels quickly in 2026.
Alex Freeland, SS/3B (No. 4/MLB No. 45)
One of two players on this list who has already made his MLB debut, Freeland has no glaring weaknesses to his game. A switch-hitter, he produced more power from the left side in 2025, with 16 of his 20 homers coming against right-handed pitchers, including his two big league roundtrippers. Freeland exhibits solid defense at shortstop, second and third base, and should provide valuable infield depth this season.
Jackson Ferris, LHP (No. 6/MLB No. 98)
Acquired alongside Zyhir Hope (MLB No. 20) in the deal that sent Michael Busch to Chicago in 2024, Ferris followed his Dodgers organization Pitcher of the Year campaign with another strong season in 2025. In 14 starts from June 21 through the end of the season, the left-hander accumulated a 1.95 ERA — the third-best mark in the Minors among qualified players over that span. After spending all of last year in Double-A, Ferris projects to start this season at Triple-A and reach The Show if any openings arise.
James Tibbs III, OF (No. 8)
Few Minor Leaguers had as tumultuous a season as Tibbs in 2025. The 2024 No. 13 overall pick was traded from the Giants to the Red Sox in June as part of the Rafael Devers return and then flipped from Boston to the Dodgers in exchange for right-hander Dustin May prior to the Trade Deadline. As you can imagine, Tibbs’ season was inconsistent, but once he landed in his third home, he found his footing. In 36 games with Double-A Tulsa, the former Florida State Seminole slugged seven homers and hit .269 with a .900 OPS. Assuming Tibbs starts 2026 in Double-A — or maybe even Triple-A — and has success, the 23-year-old could be an outfield option later in the season for the Dodgers.
River Ryan, RHP (No. 9)
Ryan had a strong Major League debut in 2024 when he pitched to a 1.33 ERA and fanned 18 over 20 1/3 frames before undergoing Tommy John surgery in August of that same year. After spending all of last year recovering, the 27-year-old right-hander is fighting for a spot in a much different Major League rotation in 2026. As the seventh or eighth option among Dodgers starting pitchers, Ryan will likely start the season at Triple-A to get back on track — just one call away from Dodger Stadium.
Peter Heubeck, RHP (No. 23)
After a slow start to 2025, Heubeck gained momentum midseason, posting a 2.68 ERA over eight starts during June and July before being shut down for the year on July 19 with rotator cuff inflammation. The 2021 third-rounder entered last season on track to make his MLB debut in 2026, and with 16 Double-A starts under his belt, that could still be the case.
Noah Miller, SS (No. 25)
The younger brother of MLB veteran Owen Miller, Noah’s athleticism and glove have driven his rise through the Minors. The 23-year-old switch-hitter spent a majority of last season in Triple-A slashing .238/.269/.344 over 59 games, while hitting just four homers. His bat may not be ready for the bigs, but 70-grade fielding is an asset at any level.
