Dodgers Prospect Acquired in Michael Busch Trade Shines in High-A

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Jennifer Jordan Streeter | Last updated Apr 11, 2025 10:10 AM ET

Zyhir Hope, the outfield prospect who headlined the package the Los Angeles Dodgers received from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Michael Busch and reliever Yency Almonte, has been even better than advertised since his 2023 trade.

Hope has gotten off to a hot start with the Great Lake Loons of the High-A. He has slashed .444/.583/.778 with three RBI, three walks in 13 trips to the plate, and three stolen bases in his first three games.

The Chesapeake, Virginia native also recently hit his first home run on Saturday — a two-run shot from Cleveland Guardians right-handed pitching prospect Dylan Delucia. His exit velocity also averages over 100 mph off the bat.

The Cubs originally drafted Hope in the 11th round of the 2023 MLB Draft. That same year, they flipped him to the Dodgers, along with pitching prospect Jackson Ferris, in the previously mentioned trade that brought Busch to Chicago.

Make no mistake, though, the left-swinger is not your typical 11th-rounder.

Nothing subtle about Zyhir Hope's introduction to the High-A level

The @Dodgers' No. 6 prospect crushes his first dinger for @greatlakesloons an estimated 427 feet at 111 mph. pic.twitter.com/XZJy6d3ht1
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 5, 2025

Hope hit .287/.415/.490 in 54 games in Single-A Rancho Cucamonga last summer at age 19, despite a stress fracture in his rib that sidelined him for three months.

According to MLB Pipeline, Hope entered 2025 ranked as the No. 75 prospect in baseball and within the top 10 in the Dodgers' farm system at No. 6. He also boasts a career slash line of .294/.425/.502 in 265 minor league at-bats, participated in his first Major League spring training this year with the Dodgers as a non-roster invitee.

While Busch's trade originally raised some eyebrows, he seems to be fairing quite well for Los Angeles and could easily make his way into the show sooner rather than later.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: