Josue De Paula: Nationality, Ethnicity, Height, Parents and Dodgers

Josue De Paula has quickly become one of the most talked-about young players in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. The talented outfielder arrived in MLB after an impressive minor-league career and a unique development path that took him from Brooklyn to the Dominican Republic and eventually to the Dodgers.

For fans searching for Josue De Paula nationality, ethnicity, height, parents, and Dodgers information, his background is particularly interesting. Although De Paula was born in the United States, his family has strong Dominican roots, and he spent part of his teenage years developing his baseball skills in the Dominican Republic.

Who Is Josue De Paula?

Josue De Paula is a professional baseball player who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was born on May 24, 2005, in Brooklyn, New York.

The Dodgers list De Paula at 6 feet 3 inches and 185 pounds. He bats left-handed and throws left-handed. MLB lists him as an outfielder, although he has also appeared as a designated hitter.

De Paula joined the Dodgers as an international free agent in 2022 after developing in the Dominican Republic. He signed for a reported $397,500 bonus and quickly established himself as one of the organization’s most promising young hitters.

His combination of power, plate discipline, speed and age helped him rise rapidly through the Dodgers’ farm system.

Josue De Paula Nationality

Josue De Paula is American by birth.

He was born in Brooklyn, New York, on May 24, 2005. Therefore, his birthplace is in the United States.

However, his family has strong Dominican connections. His father, Josue De Paula Sr., is Dominican, and De Paula spent a significant period of his teenage years in the Dominican Republic. MLB reports that he moved there when he was 15 and trained in Santo Domingo before signing with the Dodgers.

This gives De Paula a strong connection to both the United States and the Dominican Republic.

His baseball journey also reflects that dual background. He was born and raised in New York but used the Dominican baseball development system to pursue a professional career.

What Is Josue De Paula’s Ethnicity?

Josue De Paula has a Dominican and African American family background.

MLB’s Spanish-language coverage reported that his father is Dominican and his mother is African American. De Paula was born in New York and has maintained a close connection to his father’s Dominican heritage.

His Dominican background is also reflected in his relationship with his paternal family. MLB reported that De Paula’s paternal grandmother, Sixtra Brito De Paula, played an important role in his childhood and that he embraced Dominican culture while visiting the country.

De Paula has also spoken about learning Spanish so he could communicate more comfortably with people in the Dominican Republic.

Josue De Paula Height

Josue De Paula is listed at 6 feet 3 inches tall.

His listed weight is 185 pounds. MLB’s official player profile lists him at 6’3″, 185 pounds.

His size gives him a strong physical frame for an outfielder. Combined with his left-handed swing and developing power, his physical profile has been one of the reasons scouts have been excited about his long-term potential.

Josue De Paula Height and Weight

Who Are Josue De Paula’s Parents?

Josue De Paula’s father is Josue De Paula Sr.

His father has been an important influence throughout his baseball career. MLB reported that De Paula Sr. watched his son make his Major League debut and had encouraged his baseball development from a young age.

De Paula’s father grew up in the Dominican Republic and played baseball while he was young. Although he did not have the opportunity to pursue a professional baseball career, his son eventually carried that dream forward.

MLB’s report also noted that De Paula called both his mother and father after finding out that he was being promoted to the Major Leagues.

Who Is Josue De Paula’s Mother?

Reports identify De Paula’s mother as Joy Sanders, a New York native. Diario Libre reported that De Paula is the son of Dominican Josue De Paula Brito and New Yorker Joy Sanders.

His mother’s side of the family also has a notable basketball connection. De Paula is a second cousin of former NBA guards Stephon Marbury and Sebastian Telfair. MLB and other reports have highlighted this family connection.

Josue De Paula and the Dominican Republic

One of the most unusual parts of De Paula’s story is how he developed as a baseball prospect.

He was born in Brooklyn and attended high school in New York. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his baseball opportunities.

During that period, De Paula moved to the Dominican Republic. He trained at El Niche Baseball Academy in Santo Domingo, where he continued preparing for a professional career.

The move proved significant.

Instead of following the traditional U.S. high school-to-draft route, De Paula became an international prospect. The Dodgers eventually signed him in January 2022.

That decision became an important turning point in his career.

When Did the Dodgers Sign Josue De Paula?

The Dodgers signed Josue De Paula on January 15, 2022, as an international free agent.

He received a signing bonus of approximately $397,500. MLB records show that he began his professional career with the Dodgers’ Dominican Summer League affiliate.

De Paula quickly demonstrated why Los Angeles was interested in his bat.

He continued moving through the Dodgers’ minor-league system and became one of the organization’s most highly regarded prospects.

Josue De Paula Dodgers Career

De Paula’s rise through the Dodgers organization was rapid.

He played in the Dominican Summer League before progressing through the Dodgers’ minor-league affiliates in the United States. By 2026, he was playing for the Tulsa Drillers at the Double-A level.

His 2026 season was especially impressive. According to MLB, De Paula hit .303/.401/.547 with 27 home runs and 31 stolen bases in 124 games at Double-A.

Those numbers helped him become one of the most highly regarded prospects in baseball.

MLB Pipeline ranked De Paula No. 6 on its Top 100 Prospects list before his promotion to Los Angeles.

When Did Josue De Paula Make His MLB Debut?

Josue De Paula made his MLB debut on September 11, 2026, with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Dodgers selected his contract from Double-A Tulsa on that date.

His promotion was notable because he moved directly from Double-A to the Major Leagues without playing in Triple-A.

MLB described the move as a significant step in Dodgers history because De Paula became the first Los Angeles position player since 2014 to jump directly from Double-A to the Major Leagues.

Josue De Paula’s First MLB Home Run

De Paula’s first Major League home run came only a few days after his debut.

On September 13, 2026, he hit a three-run home run against the Miami Marlins. The blast traveled approximately 416 feet, providing the young Dodgers player with his first MLB hit and home run.

He later added a double in the same game.

The moment was especially meaningful because his father was present to watch him play. De Paula said the home-run ball was going home with his father.

Why Is Josue De Paula a Dodgers Prospect to Watch?

Several parts of De Paula’s game have made him stand out.

First, he has shown considerable power for a young left-handed hitter. His 27 home runs in Double-A during 2026 demonstrated his ability to drive the ball.

Second, his plate discipline has been a major part of his profile. MLB noted his ability to make advanced swing decisions and control the strike zone.

Third, he has speed. De Paula combined his power with 31 stolen bases in 2026, giving him an unusual combination of offensive tools.

His athleticism, age and offensive production explain why the Dodgers viewed him as one of their most valuable young prospects.

Josue De Paula Family Background

De Paula’s family story is closely connected to his baseball journey.

His father came from the Dominican Republic, while his mother has African American roots and is from New York. De Paula grew up in Brooklyn and later spent time in the Dominican Republic, where he trained professionally.

His paternal grandmother, Sixtra Brito De Paula, has also been part of his connection to Dominican culture. MLB reported that she remembered him as a child who was frequently carrying a baseball bat.

That family connection has remained important as De Paula has reached the Major Leagues.

Josue De Paula Bio

Final Thoughts

Josue De Paula’s journey to the Dodgers is different from that of many American-born baseball prospects. Born in Brooklyn, he has strong Dominican family roots and spent part of his teenage years in the Dominican Republic developing his baseball skills.

The Dodgers signed him in 2022, and he steadily climbed the organization’s minor-league system. His power, plate discipline and speed eventually turned him into one of baseball’s most highly regarded prospects.

At 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, De Paula combines an impressive physical profile with a left-handed bat. His September 2026 promotion gave Dodgers fans their first extended look at a player who had already generated significant attention throughout the minor leagues.

His first MLB home run, a 416-foot three-run shot against Miami, added another memorable chapter to a story that began in Brooklyn and continued through the Dominican Republic before reaching Los Angeles.

FAQs

Is Josue De Paula American?

Yes. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, making him American by birth.

Is Josue De Paula Dominican?

De Paula was born in the United States, but he has Dominican heritage through his father and has a strong personal connection to the Dominican Republic.

What is Josue De Paula’s ethnicity?

Reports describe De Paula as having a Dominican father and an African American mother.

How tall is Josue De Paula?

Josue De Paula is listed at 6 feet 3 inches and 185 pounds.

Who are Josue De Paula’s parents?

His father is Josue De Paula Sr. His mother has been identified in Dominican media as Joy Sanders.

When did Josue De Paula join the Dodgers?

The Dodgers signed De Paula as an international free agent in January 2022 for a reported $397,500 signing bonus.

When did Josue De Paula make his MLB debut?

He made his MLB debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 11, 2026.

What position does Josue De Paula play?

De Paula is primarily an outfielder and has also appeared as a designated hitter for the Dodgers. MLB lists him as a left-handed hitter and thrower.