Zyhir Hope Stats & Scouting Report

AB	19
AVG	.316
OBP	.458
SLG	.421
HR	0

Full name Zyhir Antonio Hope
Born 01/19/2005 in Chesapeake, VA
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 193 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Colonial Forge
Drafted in the 11th round (326th overall) by the Chicago Cubs in 2023 (signed for $400,000).

View Draft Report

School: Colonial Forge HS, Stafford, Va. Source: HS

Commit/Drafted: North Carolina
Age At Draft: 18.5
An athletic outfielder and lefthanded hitter, Hope turned in the third-best run time at the 2022 East Coast Pro, clocking a 6.34-second 60-yard dash time that trailed only Georgia outfielder Kyle Henley and Florida shortstop Adrian Santana. That’s an 80-grade run time and makes Hope one of the speediest players in the class. Despite that speed, he played right field in high school, though scouts believe he can certainly handle center field at the next level. Hope has a line drive-oriented swing from the left side, with quick hands, but has shown a tendency to expand the zone and chase at times—particularly against secondaries. His overall bat-to-ball skills will need to improve as well and both of those offensive questions were on display at the 2023 MLB Draft Combine high school game, where Hope went 1-for-5 with four strikeouts. Hope has been cross checked heavily this spring, but the North Carolina commit is expected to be a tough sign and could become a dynamic runner and defender in the ACC from day one.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High.

Track Record: As an amateur, Hope showed an intriguing but unfinished tool set. He was an elite runner, as demonstrated by a 6.34-second 60-yard dash time which was the third fastest at the 2022 East Coast Professional Showcase. He had plenty of power, too, but was also prone to swinging and missing. The Cubs spent their 11th-round pick in 2023 on him, then signed him away from a North Carolina commitment with a $400,000 bonus. In January 2024, Chicago traded Hope and lefthander Jackson Ferris to the Dodgers in the deal that sent first baseman Michael Busch to Chicago. Hope’s 2024 season was splintered by a fractured rib which cost him roughly three months of time at Low-A. He made up those at-bats in the Arizona Fall League.

Scouting Report: When the Dodgers acquired Hope, they knew they were getting a potential gem waiting to be polished. They believed he was being too passive and letting too many hittable pitches go by as an amateur. In Hope’s first full season, his swing decisions had improved immensely and he was doing an outstanding job connecting on pitches in the zone. The contact also came with big-time impact, including a 90th percentile exit velocity of 108.5 mph. Hope uses quick, powerful movements from a compact, athletic frame to help him lose baseballs to all sectors with shocking ease. His home-to-first times show a fringe-average runner, but the sprint speeds he’s posted underway are closer to above-average. He’s likely ticketed for left field thanks to a below-average arm, but his bat should be plenty for the position. His reads off the bat need to improve as well.

The Future: Hope will be ready for High-A at some point in 2025, if not on Opening Day. He’s as easy to dream on as any player in the organization and could one day blossom into a well-rounded outfielder.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 40

Draft Prospects

School: Colonial Forge HS, Stafford, Va. Source: HS

Commit/Drafted: North Carolina
Age At Draft: 18.5
An athletic outfielder and lefthanded hitter, Hope turned in the third-best run time at the 2022 East Coast Pro, clocking a 6.34-second 60-yard dash time that trailed only Georgia outfielder Kyle Henley and Florida shortstop Adrian Santana. That’s an 80-grade run time and makes Hope one of the speediest players in the class. Despite that speed, he played right field in high school, though scouts believe he can certainly handle center field at the next level. Hope has a line drive-oriented swing from the left side, with quick hands, but has shown a tendency to expand the zone and chase at times—particularly against secondaries. His overall bat-to-ball skills will need to improve as well and both of those offensive questions were on display at the 2023 MLB Draft Combine high school game, where Hope went 1-for-5 with four strikeouts. Hope has been cross checked heavily this spring, but the North Carolina commit is expected to be a tough sign and could become a dynamic runner and defender in the ACC from day one.

Career Transactions

OF Zyhir Hope assigned to Glendale Desert Dogs.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes activated OF Zyhir Hope from the 7-day injured list.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes activated OF Zyhir Hope from the 7-day injured list.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes sent OF Zyhir Hope on a rehab assignment to ACL Dodgers.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes placed OF Zyhir Hope on the 7-day injured list.
OF Zyhir Hope assigned to Los Angeles Dodgers.
OF Zyhir Hope assigned to ACL Cubs.
Chicago Cubs signed OF Zyhir Hope.
OF Zyhir Hope assigned to College Workout.