GLENDALE, Ariz. – No prospect expects to be traded. Not Zach Ehrhard, who was living out a childhood dream by playing alongside his brother, Drew, at Double-A in the Red Sox organization. And certainly not James Tibbs III, who, by last July, had already been dealt once in the Rafael Devers blockbuster.
But sure enough, the two got the news on the day of the Trade Deadline: they were heading to the Dodgers.
It’s rare that an organization in the thick of a pennant chase opts to add to its farm system. But in order to move Dustin May at last year's Trade Deadline, general manager Brandon Gomes landed a pair of highly regarded outfield prospects in Tibbs (Dodgers' No. 11) and Ehrhard (No. 18), both of whom check in on the club’s 2026 Top 30 Prospects list, which was released recently by MLB Pipeline.
“It was really emotional, a shock,” Ehrhard said of the trade. “But I had a lot of really good friends who supported me and were like, ‘Hey man, this could be really good for you, really good for your career. This is gonna be a good thing.’”
Part of joining an organization that is now coming off back-to-back World Series championships is the reality that there aren’t many spots available for the taking at the Major League level. But while that’s almost always true in a general sense, the talent that the Dodgers have specifically procured within the outfield in particular is nearly unfathomable. Kyle Tucker and Teoscar Hernández have combined for six All-Star appearances. Josue De Paula (No. 15), Zyhir Hope (No. 27), Eduardo Quintero (No. 30) and Mike Sirota (No. 60) are among MLB’s Top 100 overall prospects. Charles Davalan (LAD No. 9) was the 41st selection in last year’s Draft. Kendall George (No. 14) has 80-grade speed, which propelled him to a 100-steal campaign in 2025.
COMPLETE DODGERS PROSPECT COVERAGE
“Obviously, you look around this room, and there are ridiculous amounts of talent in the outfield,” Tibbs said, scanning the locker room. “But I've always played with a little bit of a chip on my shoulder. Like, ‘Hey, I'm here to win, I'm here to show you why I belong,’ and for me, [the competition is] just another stepping stone.”
“I don't try to be anybody different than who I am. I’m a competitor, I'm a tough ball player,” Ehrhard said. “I've never been the 50 home run guy or the 100 stolen-base guy, I just kind of go in and play the game hard every day.”
But the other side of that coin is that when an organization shows an aptitude for churning out talent, it can continue to unlock potential within the system. Tibbs was a first-round pick in the 2024 Draft out of Florida State, and Ehrhard went in the fourth round from Oklahoma State – a pair of powerhouse college programs. Combine their prospect pedigree with what baseball executives agree is the premier development apparatus, and watch what unfolds: both posted an OPS north of .850 during their time with Double-A Tulsa in 2025 and are off to scorching starts in Cactus League play as non-roster invitees.
“The Red Sox kind of had their own kind of philosophy,” Ehrhard said. “What they focus on with the Dodgers, it feels much more personalized. They're very specific and intentional with, ‘OK, you're really good at this. So let's focus on that.’ … They've made just little minor tweaks here and there that have helped me a ton.”
Tweaks in the box are always evolving. Just ask Tibbs, who hit .363 as a college senior despite not feeling comfortable against southpaws. Even in a season in which he played for three different organizations, he hit better (.260, .815 OPS) vs. lefties than righties (.238, .790 OPS). His revamped approach was on display Monday when he demolished a 458-foot homer off Rockies left-hander Welinton Herrera.
“I hate the word 'platoon,'” Tibbs said. “For me, I wanna play every day. I take pride in everything that it takes to be a baseball player, and so part of that's left-on-left.
“I've just grown to embrace the challenge and it's been pretty rewarding.”
A year ago, Tibbs and Ehrhard were in different states and getting a combined five at-bats during Spring Training games after work at their respective Minor League camps. Now, they’re running it back as roommates who are making plenty of noise among that crowded outfield landscape.
“I've really enjoyed getting to play with him and learn from him and how he does things,” Tibbs said of Ehrhard. “He’s a great competitor, he drives me to be a better player every day.”