Steve Webb
ST. LOUIS — Outfielder Steven Souza Jr. has been called up and will be in the starting lineup tonight against the St. Louis Cardinals. The 32-year-old has been playing with Triple-A Oklahoma City since being DFA’d and then re-signed by the Dodgers earlier this summer. In his time with the Dodgers, Souza had his moments, including a go-ahead home run late in a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in June. It was an especially emotional night for Souza, as it was a return to the place where his career had been derailed by a freak ACL injury a couple years earlier.
Overall, his stay with the Dodgers didn’t go that well. He hit .160 over twenty-five at-bats in late June and early July, and ten of his plate appearances ended in strikeouts. That’s not going to get it done this time around.
However, Souza has performed well with Oklahoma City this season, hitting .247/.387/.504 with nine home runs and a massive 16.7% walk rate over 186 plate appearances at the minors’ top level. Because he was in the Dodgers’ organization by August 31, he will be eligible for their postseason roster even though his addition to the 40-man roster comes during the month of September.
I like Steven Souza. He’s a genuine guy, and has really put a lot into his comeback. Here’s hoping he can provide a much needed right-hand bat off the bench, and play a little outfield in AJ Pollock‘s absence. If nothing else, the guy’s AJ impression is spot on.
