Dodgers Prospect James Tibbs III Continues Scorching-Hot Start in Triple-A

Feb 23, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder James Tibbs III against the Seattle Mariners during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Dodgers Prospect James Tibbs III Continues Scorching-Hot Start in Triple-A

Originally posted on Minor League Baseball on SI
By Justin Binkowski | Last updated Apr 3, 2026 1:05 PM ET

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It'd probably be pretty difficult for baseball fans to find a hitter at any level who's as hot at the plate as Los Angeles Dodgers prospect James Tibbs III.

Tibbs, Los Angeles' No. 11 prospect for 2026 on MLB Pipeline, hit his fourth home run of the Triple-A season on Thursday night. Through his first six games in 2026, the 23-year-old is 13-for-26 with four homers, four doubles, 10 RBIs, and 11 runs scored. The lefty-swinging slugger has also posted a 1.744 OPS so far in his first taste of Triple-A action.

The 2024 first-round draft pick had a bit of a roller-coaster ride of a year in his first full season in the minors. Tibbs was traded twice last year, first from the San Francisco Giants to the Boston Red Sox in the blockbuster Rafael Devers deal, and then from the Red Sox to the Dodgers just over a month later when right-handed pitcher Dustin May was shipped to Boston. But even though he's only been in the Dodgers' farm system since last August, it seems like Tibbs feels right at home, at least based on his offensive production of late.

Could James Tibbs III hit his way into the Dodgers' lineup?

While Tibbs has undoubtedly been on fire at the plate to start the 2026 season, that doesn't necessarily mean he'll be an option for the big league club anytime soon. The 23-year-old has mostly played right field in the minors, but the Dodgers are obviously set right now with Kyle Tucker and Teoscar Hernández in the corner outfield spots. He's played a little first base in college and the minors, but Freddie Freeman has that position locked down. And with Shohei Ohtani penciled in to the lineup every day as the designated hitter, Los Angeles can't even consider trying to get Tibbs some major league at-bats at DH.

For now, it seems like regardless of how well Tibbs is doing offensively in the minors, his path to regular playing time in the majors is blocked. If a trade or injury happened, though, the lefty-swinging slugger could be a candidate to get called up to the big leagues at some point this year. Either way, based on his scorching-hot start to the Triple-A season, Tibbs is definitely a prospect to keep an eye on.

This article first appeared on Minor League Baseball on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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