De Paula’s 416-foot blast earned him the Futures Game Most Valuable Player award and the center fielder believes it served as encouragement in the midst of his fourth season in the Dodgers farm system.
“This is definitely motivating for me,” De Paula said to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times. “Mentally, it was a big moment, to prove, especially to myself, who I really am.”
With High-A Great Lakes Loons this season, De Paula has 10 home runs, 26 stolen bases and an .834 OPS in 78 games.
The 20-year-old’s talent is undeniable, and it’s a reason why De Paula’s name has been involved in trade rumors as the July 31 deadline nears. De Paula ranks No. 27 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100, and several teams around the league would surely be interested in acquiring the young outfielder.
However, De Paula hopes a solid performance on the field will aid him in reaching the big leagues wearing Dodger blue.
“I do want to get to L.A. I hope that’s in God’s plans,” De Paula said. “At the end of the day, we never make the decisions. We’ve just got to focus on what we need to do on the field and whatever happens, happens.
“But I really do hope I become a Dodger and I stay there for a very long time.”
