Josue De Paula Made Postseason Debut for Dodgers
At 21 years old, the outfielder became the youngest position player to bat at Dodger Stadium.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Baseball
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Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Josue De Paula made his major league postseason debut in Game 2 as a pinch-hitter. He is the first Dodgers position player under age 22 to appear in the playoffs since 1965.
Why it matters
De Paula holds the distinction of being the youngest position player to bat at Dodger Stadium in the venue's 65-year history. The appearance marks a rare milestone for a player his age within the organization.
Josue De Paula, age 21 years and 133 days, is the first Dodgers position player under 22 to play in the postseason since Willie Crawford in 1965. He is the youngest position player to ever record an at-bat at Dodger Stadium.
The players
Josue De Paula
He is a 21-year-old outfielder who was named the 2026 Dodgers minor league player of the year.
Willie Crawford
He was a Dodgers outfielder who set a franchise benchmark by playing in the 1965 World Series at age 19.
Christian Zazueta
He was named the 2026 Dodgers minor league pitcher of the year.
The details
De Paula entered the game as a pinch-hitter but recorded a pop out to end the contest. His appearance places him in a small group of Dodgers position players, including Eddie Miskis and Ron Fairly, who participated in the postseason at age 21.
Timeline
October 4, 2026: Josue De Paula made his postseason debut.
1965: Willie Crawford played in the World Series at age 19.
1947: Eddie Miskis played in the World Series.
Season Trajectory
De Paula's debut highlights the team's willingness to utilize top-tier prospects during high-stakes postseason play. His promotion from the minor leagues underscores the depth of the current organization and provides a potential spark for the postseason roster.
De Paula's entry into the postseason roster signals a definitive rotation change for late-inning pinch-hitting scenarios. His presence on the field confirms he is now active for all remaining playoff games.
The takeaway
The addition of a 21-year-old prospect to the active postseason roster demonstrates the organizational focus on developing young talent for critical moments. Fans should monitor his role as the team balances historical performance benchmarks with new roster requirements.
Further reading
For more on the team's latest roster developments, visit the Baseball section.
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