During the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2024 season, they employed seven different players at shortstop. So far in 2025, they have used only three different players, highlighted by Mookie Betts and Miguel Rojas. While both have been about league average at the plate with a 91 and 102 OPS+, respectively, both have struggled defensively. Neither player has arm strength above the 40th percentile, along with average to below-average range. Despite a slow start, Betts’ bat should inevitably pick up, but with that, a position change could help the former MVP. This could see Betts go back to right field and shift Teoscar Hernández back to left field. Doing this would allow 2022 third-round draft pick Alex Freeland to be the Dodgers’ everyday shortstop.
Alex Freeland Could Be Dodgers’ Shortstop of the Future
Path to the Majors
Despite being one of the top prep shortstops after hitting .397 with a 1.060 OPS in 2020, Alex Freeland would go undrafted that year. This would, however, change in 2022, after he slashed .282/.419/.570 at Central Florida University. This performance led the Dodgers to draft him 105th overall in the 2022 MLB draft. However, in his first full season at Low-A, Freeland struggled, only hitting .240 with a .707 OPS in 106 games. This was in addition to striking out 131 times in those games while only managing 28 extra-base hits. The biggest positive was his 13.2% walk rate in 2023, a mark that would be top 10 in MLB. The script flipped in 2024, though, as Freeland managed to see three different minor league levels in one year.
Alex Freeland…Have a NIGHT!
Dude was just a triple away from the cycle by the 4th inning, which is impressive enough. But, his single came from the right side, and it was back up the middle, his HR was also from the right side and hit to left center, then his triple came from… pic.twitter.com/vNgL466lMn— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) July 25, 2025
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Starting in High-A, he slashed .346/.518/.593 in 23 games with 27 walks before going up to Double-A. He faltered slightly, only hitting .245 with a .792 OPS in 74 games. This was even more evident as he only walked 45 times while striking out 73 times. But Freeland did manage to steal 24 bases, showing off his plus speed at the position. He then finished the year in Triple-A, where, in 39 games, he saw his average hover around .245, but lost some power with a .731 OPS. So far in 2025, Freeland has slashed .258/.380/.423 in 91 games with 37 extra-base hits. This goes along with 72 walks and 16 steals, but 97 strikeouts.
Next Step Forward
While we could see Alex Freeland reach the big leagues toward the end of 2025, the 2026 season is the more likely answer. If true, it would seem that Freeland would be their main shortstop, which would relieve Betts and allow him to return to the outfield. While he has played some third and second, it would make the most sense for the Dodgers to play him where he is best. Being a switch-hitter with speed, the Dodgers could expect around 20 home runs with 20-plus steals a year for their 2022 third-round pick and future shortstop.
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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