Dodgers Rumors: Dodgers to Promote Alex Freeland

CINCINNATI, OH—While the Los Angeles Dodgers continue their nine-game East Coast road trip, starting off a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds tonight, the team has reportedly promoted top infield prospect Alex Freeland, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. 

Freeland, 23, was the third-round pick in the 2022 Major League Baseball draft and has been one of the team’s most hypes prospects over the last two seasons.

After a fantastic season between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A OKC, where Freeland posted a .829 OPS, the switch-hitting shortstop has put together a solid season in his first full year with the OKC Comets.

Overall, Freeland has a .253/.372/.416 slash line along with a predictive .788 OPS, all while playing above-average defense, posting a .965 fielding percentage in his minor league career.

After the injury to contending All-Star third baseman Max Muncy, many fans assumed the Dodgers would give Freeland a shot at the hot corner.

The very next day, Freeland was seen taking reps at third base—a potential preview of where he may play when the move is made official.

Regardless of Muncy’s injury, the Dodgers have been trying to upgrade their offense as they’ve just posted an 89 wRC+ in July, their lowest mark of the regular season.

A large part of those struggles has been on utilityman Tommy Edman, who, since his activation off the 15-day injured list from a lingering ankle injury, has been in a downward spiral offensively.

Edman, Rojas, and Kiké Hernández were initially set to be the trio to take over third base in Muncy’s absence, but only Rojas has been remarkably productive, but he is not at the age to be an everyday bat.

Freeland’s name has also been surrounded by trade rumors, which is to be expected with the annual mid-summer trade deadline less than thirty-six hours away.

However, rather than trade away Freeland, the Dodgers are promoting him to hopefully rejuvenate this offense or possibly showcase his talents at the Major League level.

The corresponding move has yet to be announced, but notably absent from today’s lineup was Edman, with Rojas and Hyeseong Kim getting the start at second and third base, respectively.

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