Before the end of the trade deadline, the Detroit Tigers said goodbye to Tarik Skubal, but in return they received a key piece of their future – Zyhir Hope. 

While the Tigers traded their best player, the return brought Hope to the team. Yes, the player – but also the hope that Zyhir will one day become a superstar. After the Tigers promoted outfielder Max Clark to the big leagues, Hope now becomes the Tigers’ highest-ranked prospect in the minor leagues.

At 5’10, 193 pounds, Hope is a left-handed outfielder with all the skill and talent to be a legit superstar. Selected by the Cubs in the 11th round of the 2023 MLB Draft, Hope was traded to the Dodgers a year later as part of the Michael Busch deal. Since then, he’s been raking. Across his minor league career, he has a .276/.378/.474 slash line with a .852 OPS, and he’s only getting better.

Hope is also the ideal athlete. Since being drafted, he has added a lot of muscle. Scouts have described Hope as being built like a running back. While the addition of muscle doesn’t equal power, he uses his strength effortlessly. He can hit to both sides of the field and has done a great job finding his professional stride in Double-A. 

The outfielder is also a good base runner with decent speed, and he’s been graded as an above-average defender. Hope has a strong arm and even drew interest as a pitcher coming out of high school with a mid-90’s fastball and a workable curveball.

“Everything has been smooth,” Hope said. “The Tigers are doing an amazing job with helping me travel and stuff, communicating everything to me, stuff like that. Everything’s been good. I’ve been breathing. I’m breathing. You know what I’m saying? Yeah, I’m just grateful. I’m grateful.”

The 21-year-old is the headliner in the Skubal deal, though it’s not the first time he’s been traded. 

“It’s a business, man,” Hope told the Detroit Free Ptess. “Wherever I am, I’m gonna keep my faith no matter what and just continue to play ball, man.” 

While the Motor City has high expectations for Hope, he has his own way of dealing with the pressure. Hope’s mindset allows him to approach the game in a stress-free way, helping him to succeed.

“To be honest with you, I don’t look at stats or nothing,” Hope said. “I’m just playing ball.”

Zyhir has already debuted for the Tigers’ organization, receiving a loud, roaring ovation each time he stepped to the plate. Batting second and playing right field, he went hitless in four plate appearances but finished with a walk.

Although his debut wasn’t spectacular, Hope is a superstar in the making. He’s already received the approval of a few former major league veterans.

“Watching him in his first major league camp was jaw-dropping,” recalled Dodgers’ vice president of player development, Will Rhymes. “When Raul Ibanez and Nelson Cruz stop what they are doing to watch your batting practice every day, that says a lot. [Zyhir] looked like he belonged. Since day one in Dodger blue, he’s knocked the cover off the ball and performed at the pretty much the same level despite the advanced assignments he has faced.”