Make California Post a Preferred Source In an alternate universe, Josue De Paula would be at home right now, relaxing with his parents, reflecting on his breakthrough Double-A season as the Dodgers’ top prospect.
“Probably would’ve took a couple weeks off,” he joked, “doing something.”
The something De Paula was doing instead on Thursday: Going through an off-day workout with his new big-league teammates at Dodger Stadium, stepping up to the plate for an impressive round of on-field batting practice before the club’s pre-National League Division Series intrasquad game and preparing for what will likely be the next step in his rapid rise through the organization — a potential spot on the team’s postseason roster just weeks after being called straight up from Double-A for his big-league debut.
No, the Dodgers have not announced any final playoff roster decisions yet.
For now, De Paula and Dalton Rushing ostensibly remain in competition for a left-handed-hitting role on the team’s bench in the NLDS, which will begin with Game 1 on Saturday afternoon.
At this point, though, it would be a surprise if the 21-year-old slugger wasn’t active for the best-of-five series.
“He’s just a special hitter,” manager Dave Roberts said last week. “[His skill set] lines up in the postseason. And no moment is going to be too big for that kid.”
Indeed, De Paula’s 11-game cameo in the big leagues last month wowed club officials and the team’s veteran clubhouse alike, as he hit .323 with one home run, five extra-base hits and seven RBIs while reaching base safely in exactly half of his first 42 MLB plate appearances.
More importantly, his first taste of The Show bolstered the already healthy self-belief he has in his abilities, as well.
“It’s crazy,” De Paula told the California Post. “I mean, I’ve always had super confidence. But I feel like this just gave me a little feel to it. To have the success here that I’m having, I just want to keep it going, man.”
That didn’t mean De Paula was upset when he couldn’t keep it going last week, getting optioned to Triple-A for the final five games of the regular season upon Shohei Ohtani’s return from the injured list.
Quite the contrary, actually, with the rookie saying the club had communicated that plan to him as soon as he learned of his surprise promotion to the majors in mid-September.
“To be honest, when I first came up here, my original intention was never really to stay here,” he said. “I just wanted to have fun and do what I know how to do, take advantage of the moment.”
He did. And now, after a brief detour with the club’s Oklahoma City affiliate during its postseason run to a Triple-A title (which De Paula aided with a towering RBI double in its Pacific Coast League clincher), he’s ready for whatever comes next this October.
“We’re here again,” he said, while glancing around an empty Chavez Ravine.
Barring a twist, not for the last time this fall, either.
