Dodgers Prospect Notes: Sirota on fire, Copen dominant, De Paula & George thriving, Morales impressive, more

Bruce Kuntz 05/05/2026 Prospect Notes Leave A Comment

Top Farm Batter

Mike Sirota had his first pro season cut short by a knee sprain, leaving some doubt as to whether his 189 wRC+ across a 59-game sample could be replicated. Instead, the 22-year-old outfielder has posted a 192 wRC+ to begin the season, slashing .329/.481/.683 while continuing to be among the best producers in the minor leagues. He homered four times in four games to end last week.

Sirota is the complete package: He doesn’t chase, hits the ball hard and can play center field. The Northeasten alumni has cut down on his swings and misses, maximizing his plus raw power. His promotion to Double-A, which seemingly could come quick (although the outfield depth chart is crowded above him), will be a test to show how reel his whiff improvement really is. If Sirota can barrel the fastball at the letters consistently, his outlook is through the roof.

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Top Farm Pitcher

Without much doubt, Patrick Copen has been the best pitcher in the system so far this season. Through 28 innings, the 24-year-old right-hander has posted a 0.96 ERA, 34% strikeout rate and .149 average against. His walks are up at 13%, but it has been a fantastic start nonetheless.

Copen is a huge success story for returning and pitching well after a comebacker took away his vision in his right eye in 2024. His fastball is among the best heaters in the system, with a good slider and cutter to boot. Although his command issues make a long-term starter role unlikely, the former seventh-rounder has a real chance to be a force in relief.

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Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets

James Tibbs III got off to one of the best starts in recent memory, batting .514 with seven homers across his first eight Triple-A games. He’s cooled off since, only batting .219 with a 31% strikeout rate in 25 games. Still, Tibbs’ overall body of work is proving his status as a top prospect in the system.

Ryan Ward has kept doing Ryan Ward things. His numbers (excluding a brief MLB debut in April) read .291/.395/.509. The Pacific Coast League MVP last year, Ward has done just about everything he can at the Triple-A level. The 28-year-old will be ready and waiting for another call-up to the Dodgers.

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Double-A Tulsa Drillers

Josue De Paula has hit the ground running in his first full Double-A stint. The Dodgers’ No. 1 prospect has walked more than he’s struck out while posting a 149 wRC+ through 26 games. The 20-year-old has already homered three times, showing continual progression in his game power without sacrificing any bat-to-ball skills.

Kendall George has also made a graceful transition to Double-A, reaching base at a .434 clip and stealing 16 bases in 24 games. He has embraced his unique profile, cutting his fly ball rate to only 6.6% and leading the system in ground ball rate. That may sound cheesy or unproductive, but George’s game-changing speed regularly shows through with infield singles. The 21-year-old’s strikeout rate has only increased to 18% while his walk rate has stayed strong at 12% despite his lack of pitcher-threatening power.

Luke Fox has been an under-the-radar success story the last two-and-a-half years. Following his first MLB Spring Training invite, the 24-year-old has a 2.29 ERA and 32% strikeout rate through four starts. Unique to Fox, the southpaw has also cut his walk rate nearly in half to go alongside the whiff jump.

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High-A Great Lakes Loons

Charles “Chuck” Davalan has paired a surprisingly potent power stroke with his trademarked bat-to-ball skills in an impressive start. Last year’s 41st overall pick has homered six times already while topping the system with a 6% swinging strike rate. If he could even improve his power projection to dead average, the intrigue around Davalan would climb in a hurry.

Christian Zazueta has a serious argument to be the top pitching prospect in the system, and his start to 2026 has only added fuel to that fire. Through five starts, his 4.18 ERA lacks shine, but a huge 38% strikeout rate and comparatively miniscule 6% walk rate showcase Zazueta’s rare combination of stuff and command. The former Yankees IFA signee could reach Double-A before his 22nd birthday.

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Single-A Ontario Tower Buzzers

Emil Morales is showing off a ton of power at only 19 years old. The Spanish shortstop has homered four times and posted a 138 wRC+ to start the season. He’s likely to spend most of 2026 in Single-A, working to actualize his natural raw pop without swinging-and-missing too often.

Ching-Hsien Ko has shaken off a rough 16-game stint in Single-A last year to post a .431 on-base so far in 2026. Ko pairs a great approach with quality bat-to-ball ability. Also, he’s only 19, leaving plenty of time left for continual improvement; Ko’s ceiling could make him average-or-better in all five tools.

Brady Smith is on here for a simple reason: his 37% strikeout rate. His 5.28 ERA isn’t pretty, but the 21-year-old is showing a quality feel for spin that his injuries did not take away. If he can stay healthy and throw strikes, Smith has a high ceiling.

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About Bruce Kuntz

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Long Beach State journalism student in my fifth year of covering the Dodgers and their farm system.
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