Cody Snavely
When it comes to the shortstop position for the Los Angeles Dodgers, it has been the weakest link for the team since all-star Corey Seager left in free agency after the 2021 season.
From the end of the 2015 season until 2021, the Dodgers only had one name at shortstop: former top prospect Corey Seager, who manned the position for the first seven years of his career.
After Seager’s departure in free agency, where the 2020 World Series MVP left for the Texas Rangers on a massive 10-year $325 million contract, the Dodgers handed the reigns to trade deadline acquisition Trea Turner, who, in his lone season as the starter hit .298/343/.466 with a .809 OPS, however, he would also leave in free agency for a massive multi-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Enter the 2023 season, the Dodgers had hoped that 2019 Baseball America Player of the Year Gavin Lux and former top prospect Gavin Lux would take the next step in his career, but an unfortunate season-ending ACL/MCL injury would derail the Dodgers’ plans.
Veteran shortstop Miguel Rojas has gotten the most playing time at the position since the 2023 season, but his offensive performance has dipped massively compared to Turner or Seager. The Dodgers’ solution to all of that entering the 2024 season was to make a massive switch and throw Betts at the position for the first half of the season.
While the 2025 Los Angeles Dodgers team is still under construction, one significant change for the upcoming year is that Mookie Betts will return to the infield full-time next season, which likely means that shortstop is the final puzzle in the infield.
The Dodgers did pick up the $5 million club option on veteran shortstop Miguel Rojas, and utilityman Tommy Edman can fit right in along with Gavin Lux, having the ability to play the position (if Los Angeles holds on to him). The next man on the depth chart who could make an impact this season is top prospect Alex Freeland.
Freeland, 23, was the Los Angeles Dodgers third-round selection in the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft and has risen through the minor leagues over the last two seasons and is currently the third-ranked prospect in the Dodgers minor league system.
This past season, Freeland put it all together, hitting .260/.387/.442 with a .829 OPS, thirty-two doubles, eighteen home runs, seventy-four RBIs, and ninety-one walks while rising through the pipeline from Single-A+ to ending the season with Triple-A OKC Baseball Club.
Per MLB.com, Freeland is projected to make his debut possibly during the 2025 season. If the Dodgers do move on from Lux and decide to keep Betts away from another crack at shortstop, then Freeland would be the next man capable of holding down the position.
Another hurdle in Freeland’s chances is whether the Dodgers’ interest in free-agent shortstop Willy Adames is legit. They have coveted the former Tampa Bay Ray shortstop for the last two years before he ultimately stayed put in Milwaukee.
However, as we all know, nothing ever goes as planned during a season. Look no further than what happened to the Dodgers’ pitching depth this season. If an injury or trade happens, it’ll open the door for Freeland. Or, possibly, he could be a major trade chip during the offseason or the 2024 Trade Deadline.
Have you subscribed to the Bleed Los Podcast YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows & promotions, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
