The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to face challenges with injuries in their lineup, leading to a significant opportunity for one of their top prospects, Alex Freeland. The 23-year-old infielder has been called up to join the Dodgers after Hyeseong Kim was placed on the injured list due to left shoulder bursitis. This situation has arisen amid ongoing concerns regarding Tommy Edman’s lingering ankle injury.
Manager Dave Roberts indicated Monday night that Freeland would travel to Cincinnati with the team as they assessed the status of both Kim and Edman. The decision to bring Freeland up was finalized on Tuesday afternoon with the official placement of Kim on the injured list. While Edman remains on the active roster, he has been limited and underwent pregame drills alongside a trainer, indicating the team is proceeding cautiously with his recovery.
Freeland, who was drafted in the third round in 2022 from the University of Central Florida, has proven himself in the minor leagues, batting .253 with 12 home runs and 71 RBIs this season with Triple-A Oklahoma City. His impressive stats have made him the No. 3 overall prospect in the Dodgers’ farm system, according to MLB Pipeline, and he is ranked as the 35th-best prospect in all of baseball.
Despite the unfortunate circumstances leading to his promotion, Freeland’s performance in the minors has been strong. His ability as a disciplined hitter is underscored by his 228 career walks in just 345 minor league games, and he has demonstrated solid defensive skills in both shortstop and third base positions. In addition, Freeland has 81 steals over his minor league career, highlighting his speed and versatility on the bases.
The Dodgers have also been managing the absence of Max Muncy, who is nearing a return from a knee injury, and Kiké Hernández, who is currently sidelined due to elbow issues. Amid these injury setbacks, Freeland’s arrival offers the team a fresh option as they navigate another challenging phase in their season.
“We’re just trying to figure out the best way to manage these injuries while keeping our key players on the field,” said Roberts, emphasizing the difficult balance the organization must maintain.
While the Dodgers face an uphill battle with their current injuries, the call-up of Freeland brings hope and potential for a revitalized lineup during a crucial time in the season. His introduction to the big league roster can serve as a turning point, both for himself and the team, as they aim to regain momentum on the field.