Lefty-hitting outfielder Zyhir Hope is one of four top prospects who has put Great Lakes on the map as having arguably the best outfield in Single-A baseball. The 20-year-old Virginia native has transformed himself from an overlooked high school prospect into one of the most intriguing young talents on the Los Angeles Dodgers farm. His combination of raw power, advanced approach and athletic versatility has made him a cornerstone of what may be the organization’s most promising collection of position player prospects.
A Minor League Outfield of Dreams
Hope currently anchors an impressive outfield corps at High-A Great Lakes that reads like a wish list for any organization’s future. Alongside center fielder Kendall George, left fielder Josue De Paula and the recently promoted Mike Sirota, Hope forms part of a quartet that could define the big league outfield for years to come.
The recent addition of Sirota, acquired in the Gavin Lux trade and fresh off a scorching start to his professional career, has only strengthened an already formidable group. While Sirota grabbed headlines with his explosive debut numbers in the early stages of the season, Hope has been quietly building on his own impressive foundation by flirting with a .300 average in the pitcher-friendly Midwest League.
From Draft Day Disappointment to Dodger Blue
Hope’s path to the Dodgers organization took an unconventional route that highlights his perseverance and the organization’s scouting capabilities. After going unselected during the first two days of the 2023 MLB Draft, the Dodgers identified Hope as a target for the 11th round. However, the Chicago Cubs beat them to the punch, selecting Hope and signing him for $400,000 — well above slot value and equivalent to fifth-round money.
The Cubs’ investment in Hope proved short-lived. Just six months later, Chicago dealt Hope and left-handed pitching prospect Jackson Ferris to Los Angeles in exchange for first baseman Michael Busch and reliever Yency Almonte. The trade has already shown dividends for the Dodgers, who had no room to let Busch play regularly on an already crowded big league roster.
Scouting Report
Hope’s development since turning professional has been remarkable, particularly his physical maturation. He has added significant strength while maintaining his athletic foundation, creating a prospect who “does everything scouts want to see a young hitter do,” according to scouting reports.
His left-handed swing generates high exit velocities, and he demonstrates advanced swing decisions and quality contact skills rare for his age. Hope’s understanding of how to pull pitches for power, combined with his efficient swing mechanics, suggests he could develop 30-home run pop once he learns to lift balls more consistently.
Despite adding muscle mass, Hope remains a solid runner and capable base stealer, although he’s lost a step from his high school days. His twitchy athleticism serves him well defensively, where he can cover ground adeptly in all three outfield positions.
Intriguingly, some clubs were also interested in Hope’s potential as a left-handed pitcher during high school, where he pushed his fastball into the mid-90s with a promising curveball. While he’s focused solely on playing outfield now, that arm strength translates well to his throwing duties.
What Lies Ahead for Hope?
Hope’s impressive .287/.415/.490 slash line in 54 games at Single-A last season came despite dealing with a stress fracture in his rib that cost him three months. His standout performance in the Arizona Fall League last year, highlighted by a 470-foot home run, demonstrated his potential when healthy.
Through Saturday’s games, Hope is slashing .293/.391/.490 with seven long balls and 14 doubles over his first 200 at-bats of the season. He’s currently ranked as the third-best prospect in the Los Angeles organization according to MLB pipeline.
As Hope continues his development at Great Lakes, the Dodgers have found themselves with an embarrassment of riches in their outfield pipeline. His combination of power potential, advanced approach and defensive versatility positions him as a future cornerstone of the organization’s major league roster.
If Hope continues to hit near the .300 level, a jump to Double-A Tulsa this year might not be out of the question, which would be a significant promotion for a 20-year-old youngster.