The Los Angeles Dodgers have been one of the busiest teams on the rumor mill this offseason, and with good reason. When you’ve got a farm system as deep and talented as theirs, it’s only natural that trade chatter starts swirling. But while much of the talk has centered around which prospects might be moved in deals, there’s another side to the conversation: which of these young outfielders might force their way into the big-league picture sooner rather than later?
That’s where things get interesting.
The Dodgers’ outfield pipeline is overflowing with talent, and a recent breakdown by Fabian Ardaya shed light on just how stacked this group really is. He identified four names that have started to separate themselves from the rest: Josue De Paula, Zyhir Hope, Mike Sirota, and Eduardo Quintero. Each brings a unique skill set, but what they all share is legitimate upside-and the kind of tools that could make them part of the Dodgers’ long-term core.
De Paula might be the most intriguing of the bunch. He’s still just 21, but if he takes another step forward in 2026, he could be knocking on the door of the majors by late next season or early 2027.
That’s the kind of timeline that gets player development folks excited. Then there’s Sirota, who, at 22, is a bit further along and could move quickly next year.
Hope isn’t far behind either, potentially tracking on a similar schedule.
But here’s the twist: the first outfielders from this wave to make it to Dodger Stadium might not be from that top four at all.
Instead, keep your eyes on James Tibbs III and Zach Ehrhard, two outfielders who came over in the Dustin May trade with the Red Sox last July. Both have already made strong impressions in their short time with the organization, and both could be in line for big-league debuts in 2026.
Tibbs, in particular, is turning heads. A former first-round pick, he brings a polished hit tool that’s advanced beyond his years.
In 36 games at Double-A after the trade, he posted a 155 wRC+, launched 7 home runs, and walked at a 17.3% clip-that’s the kind of offensive profile that plays at any level. He’s got the ceiling to be more than just a fill-in; he could be a real difference-maker.
Ehrhard, meanwhile, is a name that’s quickly gaining traction inside the organization. In his first 34 games with the Dodgers’ system, he slashed .282/.391/.466 with 5 homers, 20 RBI, and 14 stolen bases.
That’s a .393 wOBA and 143 wRC+-numbers that suggest he’s not just holding his own, but thriving. He plays with energy, effort, and the kind of hustle that coaches love and teammates feed off.
And then there’s Ryan Ward, a 27-year-old slugger who’s coming off a monster season in Triple-A. He crushed 36 home runs, drove in 122 runs, and hit .290-a stat line that screams “big-league ready.” At his age, Ward might be the most obvious candidate to get a look early in the year, especially if the Dodgers need some pop from the left side.
So where does that leave us?
The Dodgers don’t just have a deep farm system-they’ve got a wave of outfielders who could be ready to make an impact as soon as 2026. Whether it’s the high-ceiling upside of De Paula and Tibbs, the steady production of Ehrhard, or the power bat of Ward, the options are there. And for a team that’s always looking to balance championship contention with long-term sustainability, that’s a pretty good place to be.
Bottom line: don’t be surprised if the next breakout Dodger outfielder isn’t a blockbuster trade acquisition or a big-ticket free agent-but a homegrown talent who’s been quietly climbing the ranks, waiting for his shot.