The headline name in Detroit’s return for Tarik Skubal is a 21-year-old outfielder the Cubs took in the 11th round and gave away six months later.
Zyhir Antonio Hope was born Jan. 19, 2005 in Chesapeake, Virginia, and played at Colonial Forge High School in Stafford. He went unselected through the first two days of the 2023 draft because he barely worked the showcase circuit and looked committed to North Carolina. Chicago got him at No. 326 for $400,000 — fifth-round money — 14 picks ahead of where the Dodgers were going to take him.
Los Angeles got him anyway in January 2024, along with lefty Jackson Ferris, in the trade that sent Michael Busch and Yency Almonte to Chicago. He is the Dodgers’ No. 5 prospect and No. 25 in baseball per MLB Pipeline.
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Zyhir Hope sits in the dugout during a spring training baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Zyhir Hope doubles during the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Phoenix. Austin Barnes and Miguel Rojas scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
This is a 2026 photo of Zyhir Hope of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team. The images reflects the Los Angeles Dodgers active roster as of Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in Phoenix, when this image was taken. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Los Angeles Dodgers Austin Barnes (15) and Miguel Rojas (72) return to the dugout after scoring off of a double hit by Zyhir Hope during the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
He is having the best season of his life
At Double-A Tulsa this year Hope is hitting .293/.369/.530 with 23 home runs, 87 RBI and 18 stolen bases in 21 attempts across 425 plate appearances. He homered twice Friday night, hours before the trade.
This is a 2026 photo of Zyhir Hope of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team. The images reflects the Los Angeles Dodgers active roster as of Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in Phoenix, when this image was taken. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
That follows a 2025 at High-A Great Lakes where he hit .264/.377/.428 with 27 doubles, 13 home runs, 75 RBI and 26 steals, finishing top three in the Midwest League in doubles, extra-base hits, total bases, walks and RBI at age 20. He made the Futures Game.
What he does
Hope is 5-foot-10, 193 pounds, bats and throws left, and is built like a running back. Jeff Passan reported he squatted 850 pounds in spring 2025 — a 400-pound squat is considered excellent.
Draft prospect Zyhir Hope participates in the MLB baseball draft combine, Wednesday, June 21, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
A rib stress fracture slowed his first full pro season. He recovered and starred in the Arizona Fall League. He can handle center field, though he played the corners at High-A alongside speedster Kendall George, and he drew interest as a left-handed pitcher in high school running a mid-90s fastball.
He is expected to stay at Double-A for now, with Detroit rather than Los Angeles.
Detroit’s other returns are right-hander River Ryan and right-hander Brady Smith.
