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No player embodies the promise of a top prospect quite like outfielder Zyhir Hope. The significance of his name—that of brightness, flourishing, and blossoming—aptly reflects his future within the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.
Hope, at just 20 years old, has garnered attention as the No. 1 prospect for the defending champions, according to Baseball Prospectus, and is ranked eighth overall among minor league players.
His mother, Tiffany, played a vital role in shaping his path. Hope credits her with fostering his success and has expressed profound gratitude: “I owe everything to her and I dedicate anything I may accomplish to her,” he stated prior to the Arizona Fall League All-Star Game. “She sacrificed so that my younger brother Joshua, sister Jordyn, and I could have the things we need.”
Currently playing for the Great Lakes team in the High-A Midwest League, Hope is making his mark with a batting average of .310. This follows an impressive performance in which he went 4-for-6 in an exhilarating 12-11 victory over the Lake County Captains.
In just 21 games this season, he has accumulated 21 RBIs, showcasing his power with 7 doubles, a triple, and 4 home runs. Additionally, he is a perfect 4-for-4 in stolen bases and demonstrates strong defensive skills; a critical throw to home plate during a recent game exemplified his abilities.
Across 117 professional games, including 23 in the 2024 AFL, Hope holds a .280 batting average with 21 home runs, 87 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases. His achievements are particularly noteworthy considering he was selected in the 11th round of the 2023 MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs, where he signed for $400,000 instead of attending North Carolina.
Hope’s early career includes 3 home runs in 11 games with the Cubs’ rookie league team in Arizona before a January 2024 trade that sent him to the Dodgers along with pitching prospect Jackson Ferris. The Cubs acquired right-handers Yency Almonte and Michael Busch as part of that deal.
Scouting Report on Zyhir Hope
The Dodgers had initially intended to draft Hope, but the Cubs selected him first, leading to a trade to acquire him later. His progress is being closely monitored by manager Dave Roberts, who remarked, “Zyhir is one of those guys that obviously put himself on the radar last year. We’re going to be hearing a lot more about him. If you can put together a young player with the makeup and skillset, he’s the guy.”
A recent poll by Jonathan Mayo indicated that Hope is a frontrunner for the top breakout player in the minors for 2025.
Despite being a multi-tool talent, Hope was not a high draft pick, likely due to his height at 5’10” and the non-traditional high school background that saw him develop at Colonial Forge High School in Stafford, Virginia. He is only the fourth player from that school to pursue a professional career, following outfielder Jarrett Parker, who had a brief stint in the majors.
Hope’s physical transformation to 190 pounds and notable strength improvements were highlighted by a substantial 470-foot home run recorded last fall in Arizona. Scouts are optimistic that his line-drive singles and doubles will increasingly convert into home runs as he continues to develop. His exit velocities are among the highest at his level, underscoring his potential.
With sound pitch selection and power driving, he is not easily overwhelmed when challenged with pitches aimed on the outer half of the plate. He possesses a strong arm that could be well-suited for right field, and his fastball in high school was impressive enough for some teams to consider him as a pitching prospect.
Influences and Inspirations
When asked about his favorite player during childhood, Hope did not hesitate, naming Hall of Famer David Ortiz, fondly referred to as “Big Papi.”
His admiration for Ortiz is clear: “What’s not to like? What a great hitter, and he always had a smile on his face. I love the game, and he loves the game. Next to my mom, he’s my hero. He was unbelievable when the pressure was on.”
Hope was just 8 years old during Ortiz’s historic 2013 World Series performance, where he led the Red Sox to victory with an astounding .655 batting average.
Looking Ahead for Zyhir Hope
The Dodgers’ roster is filled with talent, but the outfield appears to be a position that may need bolstering soon, particularly as veteran players like Michael Conforto and Teoscar Hernandez continue to age. Hope’s progress gives the organization a glimpse of a promising future.
As the team evaluates its options for improvements, Hope’s flourishing potential might offer a compelling case to delay any major trades, allowing them to consider promoting the young talent from Virginia as early as 2026 or 2027.
Source
www.forbes.com