Zyhir Hope prospect report (Dodgers)

Drafted by the Cubs in the 11th round of the 2023 MLB Draft and later acquired by the Dodgers in the Michael Busch trade, Zyhir Hope has quickly established himself as one of the more exciting young bats in Los Angeles’ system. Listed at 5-foot-10 and 193 pounds, the 20-year-old Hope is well-built with a strong, athletic frame and a powerful lower half, evoking physical comparisons to the aforementioned Busch, ironically.

At the plate, Hope combines advanced pitch recognition with a patient, disciplined approach, rarely chasing offerings outside the strike zone. He recognizes and adjusts to off-speed pitches, showcasing a plus hit tool and legitimate plus power. His left-handed swing is quiet and efficient, generating easy bat speed, natural loft, and carry that allows him to drive the ball with authority from foul line to foul line. Hope stays inside the ball well and shows emerging opposite-field power, a promising sign for his long-term development.

Athletically, Hope runs well for his build and brings above-average instincts on the basepaths, stealing 27 bases on the season. Defensively, he has the mobility to handle either corner outfield spot and enough arm strength to profile in right field. With his combination of plate discipline, an all-fields approach, and 30+ HR potential, Hope projects as an offensive-minded corner outfielder with All-Star upside.