Josue De Paula Gets Love From Future Hall of Famer
· Yahoo Sports
Los Angeles Dodgers rookie Josue De Paula may be known for his big bat, but it’s the times he doesn’t swing that are drawing comparisons to a future Hall of Famer.
De Paula has only two hits in his young MLB career — granted, one of them was a huge home run — but he’s walked five times, recording at least one in each of his four games, without even a single strikeout.
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Sep 13, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Josue de Paula (95) scores after hitting a three-run home run against the Miami Marlins during the fourth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)That kind of plate discipline — and De Paula’s funny reaction to pitches outside of the strike zone — have an unexpected superstar showing love to the young Dodger.
Rival player supports Josue De Paula
New York Met Juan Soto, who’s battled the Dodgers as a member of the San Diego Padres and New York Yankees, took to Instagram to shout out his fellow Dominican slugger.
Sharing MLB’s video of De Paula shaking his head at a pitch below his knees in a moment reminiscent of the “Soto shuffle,” Soto gassed up the young slugger.
In Spanish, Soto praised De Paula, whom he called “my crazy friend,” for “staying locked in at the plate.”
As Dodgers Nation’s Noel Sanchez pointed out, the two truly are friends, and their shared history goes beyond just the ability to take a walk or hit a home run.
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“These two both attended El Niche Baseball Academy early in their respective careers and they’ve trained together in the past,” Sanchez said. “In a sports world where comparison can be the thief of joy, it’s so nice to see Soto co-signing De Paula after his early success.”
Of course, Dodgers faithful probably aren’t huge fans of Soto.
He and the Padres knocked the Dodgers out of the playoffs in 2022, and he spurned the Boys in Blue to sign with the Mets on a contract even bigger than that of superstar Shohei Ohtani.
That said, Soto’s ability to recognize the talents of a younger player — even on another NL team — is worth celebrating, Sanchez said.
“A lot of Dodger fans don’t show him love but like I said, everyone should respect this,” he said.
What do you think of Juan Soto showing love to Josue De Paula?