The Los Angeles Dodgers didn't immediately look like the winners in the trade that sent top infield prospect and former first-round pick Michael Busch to the Chicago Cubs last January. But a year later, even after Busch's breakout rookie season in Chicago, the trade is already starting to look a little less lopsided.
The Dodgers sent Busch – who was, at the time, their No. 1-ranked prospect – and reliever Yency Almonte to the Cubs in exchange for left-handed pitching prospect Jackson Ferris and outfield prospect Zyhir Hope. The Dodgers had their eye on Hope in the 2023 MLB Draft, but the Cubs snatched him up in the 11th round and dealt him to Los Angeles six months later.
Hope immediately found success upon joining the Dodgers organization. He missed three months during the 2024 season with a stress fracture in his rib but still managed to slash .287/.415/.490 in 54 games for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. It's a small sample size, but Hope had such an impressive 2024 campaign that MLB Pipeline has already projected him to be the Dodgers' No. 1 prospect in just two years' time.
Dodgers' projected No. 1 prospect in 2027 makes best trade of 2024 even better
MLB Pipeline's Jonathan Mayo, Jim Callis and Sam Dykstra recently predicted who each team's top prospect would be in 2027, and Hope got the nod for the Dodgers. On Hope, they said, "the most dynamic player in the Arizona Fall League, he makes advanced swing decisions that produce elite exit velocity, has solid speed underway and is a fearless defender capable of playing center field."
Despite being unranked when he joined the Dodgers, Hope now ranks as the No. 75 prospect in all of baseball ahead of the 2025 season. According to MLB Pipeline, he has "added significant strength since turning pro and does everything scouts want to see a young hitter do."
Hope earned his first selection last year for the National League Fall Stars game, which showcases rising minor league stars. He and Ferris will also attend Dodgers spring training this month as a non-roster invitees.
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