No ballplayer has a better name for being a top prospect than outfielder Zyhir Hope. Literally translated, Zyhir means bright, blossoming and flourishing.
That completely describes the 20-year-old’s future with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He’s ranked as the defending champions’ No. 1 prospect by Baseball Prospectus and No. 8 overall.
TEMPE, AZ: Zyhir Hope of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats during a Spring Breakout game against the Los … More Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium on March 16, 2024. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
Hope’s mother Tiffany knew what she was doing when she named her son. According to him, she’s also the reason why he has already experienced success as a professional ballplayer.
“I owe everything to her and I dedicate anything I may accomplish to her,” Hope said last November before the Arizona Fall League All-Star Game. “She’s my hero. She sacrificed so that my younger brother Joshua and sister Jordyn and myself could have the things we need.”
Hope is hitting .310 for Great Lakes of the High-A Midwest League after going 4-for-6 Sunday in a wild 12-11 win over the Lake County Captains.
In 21 games, he has 21 RBI, with 7 doubles, a triple and 4 homers. He’s also 4-for-4 stealing bases and has played fine defense. Hope’s strong, accurate throw to the plate from center field during Lake County’s late rally kept a runner from scoring. That play was just as important as his line-drive hits and three runs scored.
In 117 games as a pro, including 23 in the 2024 AFL, Hope is hitting .280 with 21 homers, 87 RBI and 18 steals. Not bad for a guy who wasn’t picked until the 11th round (No. 326 overall) of the 2023 MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs out of high school. He signed for $400,000 instead of playing at North Carolina.
MESA, AZ: Zyhir Hope mugs for a photo prior to the 2024 Fall Stars Game at Sloan Park on Nov. 9, … More 2024. Mom may not have been pleased. She once told him, “No more goofy grins,” after Zyhir closed his eyes and smiled wide during a photo shoot in high school. (Photo by Jill Weisleder/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Hope hit 3 homers in 11 games for the Cubs’ rookie league team in Arizona that summer then was dealt in January 2024 with pitching prospect Jackson Ferris for right-hander Yency Almonte and Michael Busch, who immediately became the Cubs’ starter at first base. Almonte worked in 17 games in relief for Chicago until hurting his shoulder and having surgery. He’s seeking to return this summer.
Outfielder Zyhir Hope Scouting Report
The Dodgers reportedly were ready to select Hope but the Cubs beat them to him 14 picks earlier. So they got him in a trade.
Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts is watching the youngster’s progress. “Zyhir is one of those guys that obviously put himself on the radar last year,” Roberts told reporters during spring training. “We’re going to be hearing a lot more about him. If you can put together a young player with the makeup and skillset, he’s the guy.”
A poll taken by Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com of MLB executives had Hope getting the most votes as the potential top breakout player in the minors for 2025.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ: Zyhir Hope of the Glendale Desert Dogs hits against the Scottsdale Scorpions in a … More 2024 Arizona Fall League game at Scottsdale Stadium.
The multi-tool outfielder did not go high in the draft, probably because he stands only 5-10, does not come from a traditional high school power and appeared firmly committed to play at North Carolina. He’s only the fourth player from Colonial Forge HS in Stafford, Va., to turn pro. Only outfielder Jarrett Parker made it to the majors, batting .249 with 15 homers and 51 RBI in 140 career games for the San Francisco Giants (2015-17) and Los Angeles (2019).
Hope has filled out to 190 pounds and hit the weight room. He immediately turned heads last fall with a 470-foot homer in Arizona. Scouts believe that some line-drive singles and doubles now will become homers in the future. Hope’s exit velocities are among the best at his level.
Additionally, his pitch selection is good. He is not afraid to look for a pitch on the outer half of the plate and drive it to left field. Working inside to him is asking for trouble for that’s where he likes to unload his powerful left-hand stroke for real damaging power.
Hope has a strong arm that could play well in right field. Some teams liked his low 90-mph fastball enough to consider him a pitching prospect in high school.
Lil’ Papi?
Asked to name his favorite player growing up, Hope answered as quickly as he turns on a fastball. “Big Papi, absolutely,” he said of Hall of Famer David Ortiz.
Why would a little guy like a hulking 6-3, 240-pound slugger who delivered most of his 541 homers and 1,768 RBI as a DH?
BOSTON: David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox high fives Xander Bogaerts (2) after hitting a go ahead … More two run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sept. 30, 2016 at Fenway Park. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
“What’s not to like?” Hope said. “What a great hitter and he always had a smile on his face. I love the game. He loves the game. Next to my mom, he’s my hero. He was unbelievable when the pressure was on.”
Hope was only 8 years old when Ortiz hit an other-worldly .655 (11-for-16) in the 2013 World Series to help the Boston Red Sox win a third title in 10 years. In those three series, Ortiz batted .455 (20-for-44) with 3 homers, 14 runs, 14 RBI in 14 games.
Outfielder Zyhir Hope In The Future
The Dodgers’ billion-dollar payroll is loaded with talent all over the diamond. The one area that looks in need of shoring up is the outfield. Left fielder Michael Conforto is age 32 and hitting .179. Right fielder Teoscar Hernandez is also 32 and reserve outfielder Chris Taylor is age 34.
Hope does provide hope for the future. If Conforto continues to struggle, you can bet the club will trade for an upgrade – with one eye on what Hope is accomplishing. If he keeps blossoming, perhaps only a short-term addition may be needed and the youngster from Virginia could be given a chance in 2026 or early 2027 to start flourishing In Los Angeles.
