Opening Day is less than 24 hours away now. The Los Angeles Dodgers will officially begin their quest for a three-peat with one of the oldest rosters in the majors this year, and few opportunities for competition. Right now, it may not seem like there is room on the star-studded team for any youth, but the season is long and unpredictable, even for defending champions. Here are the two most likely candidates to break through to the big leagues.
Two Dodger Position Prospects That’ll See Time in the Majors
One Injury Away
The Dodgers did add Michael Tucker to plug a hole in the outfield, and they are well-acquainted with the injury bug, as the last two years can attest. Last season, Teoscar Hernandez spent most of the year dealing with an abductor strain. As a consequence, he was a shell of himself. Heaven forbid, it happens again. But if it does, Los Angeles will be drawing from their outfield depth. Fortunately, it is one of the deepest positions in the minor league system.
Conqueror of the Pacific Coast League
Last season, deficiencies in the outfield led to rumblings that Ryan Ward should be promoted. It didn’t happen despite his offensive numbers. Ward was awarded the Pacific Coast League Player of the Year Award in 2025. He had a .290 batting average with 36 home runs and 122 runs batted in, the most in the league for 15 years. Ward was going to be a free agent this year, so the Dodgers added him to the 40-man roster, rather than lose him altogether.
Ward’s defense has always been a concern, but his bat speaks for itself. In addition, the Dodger bench is right-handed heavy, so his left hand would be an added incentive. The Dodgers have made it known that they want to get the young outfielder big league at-bats in 2026, so don’t be surprised if Ward plays at Dodger Stadium this season. The only question is, when.
Call Him Mr. Tibbs
No one had a bigger Spring Training this year than James Tibbs III. Tibbs is in his third organization in a calendar year. Tibbs went from the Boston Red Sox as part of the Rafael Devers trade. Then, he was the return investment for right-hander Dustin May. Right now, it looks like Los Angeles pulled off larceny of the highest order.
Tibbs has a decent glove, and he had a batting average of nearly .350 with five home runs and 15 runs batted in during Spring Training. Manager Dave Roberts said that the young outfielder “opened” his eyes during preliminary play. Tibbs is another left-handed hitter who would be an asset off the bench. He was optioned to Double-A last week as one of the last cuts of the Spring. After bouncing around for the year, it looks like Tibbs has found a home with the Dodgers. Although it would be quite the jump from Double-A to the majors, it looks like Tibbs could make it in 2026.
I cannot wait for James Tibbs III to make his debut at some point this season. pic.twitter.com/ngjYsLS4qg
— SleeperDodgers (@SleeperDodgers) March 23, 2026
One of the main reasons for the Dodgers’ dominance over the last few years is their depth. Ward and Tibbs are just two examples of the depth that Los Angeles will dip into in 2026.
Main Photo Credits: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
