Get ready for this, folks, because the Dodgers just pulled a wild card for the NLDS roster: 21-year-old rookie Josue De Paula is active! He’s not just on the roster, he’s set to be the youngest Dodgers position player in a postseason game since 19-year-old Willie Crawford did it way back in the 1965 World Series, if he gets in. Talk about a blast from the past mixed with pure, fresh talent, right?
Youth Movement: De Paula and Kim Bring Fresh Legs to October
De Paula, rocking number 95, absolutely balled out in his first 11 big league games this September, earning his spot as a much-needed lefty bat off the bench. We’re talking about a kid who’s 21 years and 111 days old, stepping onto the postseason stage against the Atlanta Braves. Manager Dave Roberts is clearly putting his trust in the young gun’s hot hand for some pinch-hitting heroics. It is a bold move, but one that makes sense when you see what this kid did in limited action.
But De Paula isn’t the only specialized player getting the call. Hyeseong Kim is also active, bringing pure speed and lockdown defense up the middle for those late-inning moments when you just need to get the job done. Kim hit .259/.323/.328 in 43 games with the Dodgers this season and swiped five bases on six attempts. Even though he spent most of his season with Triple-A Oklahoma City and hasn’t played for the big club since May 27, Roberts knows what he’s getting with that kind of specialized skill set. In a short series, every single advantage matters, and these guys are built for specific, high-leverage situations.
Roberts’ Postseason Playbook: Specialized Roles Over Extra Arms
Roberts is rolling with a different roster split for this best-of-5 series, choosing to go with 12 pitchers and 14 position players. That’s a shift from the usual 13/13 split we saw pre-September in the regular season. Roberts has been hinting at this for weeks, saying that in a quick series, carrying an extra arm just isn’t as critical. Instead, he’s making room for those specialized players, like De Paula and Kim, who can come in and make a huge impact in very specific situations. It’s all about maximizing every single at-bat, every single defensive play, and every single baserunning opportunity.
The bullpen also sees a key addition with Kris Bubic, who the Dodgers acquired at the trade deadline while he was on the 60-day injured list. Bubic rehabbed in Triple-A throughout September and now he’s officially made the bullpen as the third left-handed reliever, snagging a spot over Jack Dreyer and Justin Wrobleski. This is a massive boost for the Dodgers’ lefty relief options heading into the series.
Left-Handed Firepower and Bullpen Roles
Roberts spilled the beans on his pitching strategy, too. “Our first two starters are going to be left-handed, you’re talking about a lot of innings being covered by left-handed pitching in a series,” Roberts said. Tarik Skubal is locked in for Game 1, with Blake Snell taking the mound for Game 2. That’s a whole lot of southpaw heat to kick off the NLDS, which could really mess with the Braves’ lineup early on.
And what about those high-pressure closing spots? Roberts was asked about who he sees finishing games in October. He kept it a little tight but did drop one name: “I think the one guy I feel that it’s easy to say I see finishing games is Tanner [Scott], but if it’s a different lane that I feel that he’s the best option in the eighth inning…” So, while Tanner Scott seems to be the primary guy, Roberts is clearly open to using his bullpen in flexible, matchup-dependent ways.
The Dodgers are coming into this NLDS with a mix of veteran power and some incredibly exciting young talent. Game 1 against the Braves is going to be a must-watch, and with De Paula potentially making history, you won’t want to miss a single pitch!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by True Blue LA.
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