The Dodgers announced a round of camp cuts today, headlined by their decision to option utility man Hyeseong Kim to Triple-A. Infielder Nick Senzel, outfielder Jack Suwinski, and catcher Seby Zavala were also re-assigned to minor league camp. That leaves the door open for infield prospect Alex Freeland to make the team’s Opening Day roster, and Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic confirms that Freeland has been informed that he’s done just that.
Freeland, 24, was a third-round pick by the Dodgers in 2022 and made his big league debut last year. A consensus top-50 prospect in the sport last season, the infielder hit quite well at Triple-A with a .263/.384/.451 (115 wRC+) slash line across 106 games for Oklahoma City. Freeland swatted 16 homers and 30 doubles while walking at a whopping 16.3% clip and striking out 21.9% of the time. Those strong numbers didn’t translate to a 29-game cup of coffee with Los Angeles this last year, however, as he hit just .190/.292/.310 across 97 trips to the plate.
Despite that tough start to his MLB career, Freeland will round out a Dodgers bench that already includes Santiago Espinal, Dalton Rushing, and Alex Call. Call and Rushing figure to serve in pure bench roles, backing up the outfield and catcher Will Smith respectively. As for Freeland and Espinal, however, they appear likely to share playing time at second base with veteran Miguel Rojas to open the season, while also filling in for Mookie Betts and Max Muncy on the left side of the infield as needed. With both Enrique Hernandez and Tommy Edman on the injured list to open the season, there’s plenty of room in the club’s infield mix for Freeland to earn himself playing time in the early days of the 2026 campaign.
It’s at least somewhat surprising that opportunity won’t go to Kim. The 27-year-old hit a solid .280/.314/.385 (95 wRC+) across 170 trips to the plate in a bench role for the Dodgers last year while handling second base, shortstop, and center field as needed. It seems as though production during Spring Training didn’t factor into L.A.’s decision regarding their final bench spot, either; Kim slashed an incredible .407/.448/.519 in 30 spring plate appearances, while Freeland struggled during camp with a paltry .116/.286/.233 slash line across 56 plate appearances. Jack Harris of the California Post notes, however, that the Dodgers felt Freeland’s discipline (with 11 walks and 11 strikeouts) was impressive and that Kim struggled with his mechanics during and after his stint with South Korea in the World Baseball Classic.
It’s also plausible that the decision to roster Freeland is about getting him an opportunity while there’s a relatively clear shot at regular playing time. Edman is expected to begin the year on the injured list, and while his stay may not be very long it could still allow Freeland to get consistent MLB playing time for a couple weeks. That could be hard to come by on the club’s roster once Edman returns from the shelf, and the Dodgers have at times had prospects struggle to break through due to lack of opportunities in this past. If that’s the case, it’s not hard to imagine Kim being the next man up for a bench role in the event Espinal or Rojas either struggles or heads to the injured list. Whatever the Dodgers’ exact reasoning may be, Kim will open the season at Triple-A for the second season in a row and look to stay ready for when a big league opportunity eventually does arrive.
What would it take for the Mets to attain Kim?
Would much prefer Kim over Brujan making the team. Kim’s position flexibility suits the Mets as emergency shortstop, second base, and occasional outfield work.
It would take more than the Mets are willing to pay, I’d guess. Kim is a starter-caliber player on most teams. The article details some reasons why he’s starting in the minors but he had a solid rookie season in only about 400 innings last year. I don’t think the Dodgers are in a rush to trade him. They signed him already knowing it’d be hard to fit him in for regular playing time.
He really didn’t have a solid season
His BB and K rates were terrible. He had an unsustainable BABIP for a few hundred PA’s
This is a head scratcher unless Kim’s injury is worse than they thought. He is hitting over .400 with a .967 OPS and Freeland .116 and .518 OPS. The only benefit I see is Freeland is a switch hitter.
horror
Maybe 50ish at bats don’t tell you all that much about a hitter
The theory that they are giving Freeland a few weeks of playing time in the Majors seems like the most reasonable explanation. It’s more of an evaluation opportunity than a choice of one player over another.
“THE Horror! THE horror Dr. KURTZ !! THE HEART OF DARKNESS IS NOT THE CONGO RIVER BUT CHEVEZ RAVINE !!!!!!
Now hold your horses there, son.
Roberts said his at bat quality wasn’t as good as his results were. So they are getting him regular reps to get him on track.
And what would it have taken either last season or this year for the Dodgers to have given Kim more regular playing time and the starting 2B job at least as long as Edman is out??
Yeah I just checked his spring numbers. Considering he’s not making league minimum and had a great spring, he deserves an MLB job.
Actually, his numbers are better than Freeland’s too.
BS
“Considering he’s not making league minimum and had a great spring,”
What if, just, what if…those aren’t the reasons that someone should get an MLB job
So much better. Makes zero sense.
agent
“And what would it have taken either last season or this year for the Dodgers to have given Kim more regular playing time”
A belief that he’s good enough to do so?
They keep toying with Kim. When they gave him a chance last year playing everyday he was batting close to .400. When they started to play him sporatically his hitting worsened. The Braves should be all in on him, with the other Kim being out, best fit I could think of
I pine for the days when I paid zero attention to spring training because moves like this one are maddening. In many ways ST is a charade. What players do on the field many times is irrelevant. Dodgers clearly have too many players in the mix for their utility roles, and success for most of them relies too heavily on injury possibilities. Are these guys even gonna get enough ABs in AAA?
solaris
what?
Maybe you should have paid more attention, this is how spring goes and always has
I learned this lesson a long time ago. March is when I pay the least attention to baseball.
I don’t follow The Mets closely but I looked up Brujan. 8 teams and he is still only 28. Almost the definition of a journeyman. Not much bat so I assume he has a solid to good glove.
The Dodgers have multiple players that can fill the 2nd base slot. I suspect that when Kike and Edman come off the IL that someone will be traded. It might be Kim but it might just as well be Espaniel, Senzel or Freeland. Do The Mets have the prospects to swing a deal?
If there’s someone to be traded, it should be Espinal or Freeland. Most likely Espinal since Freeland may have more trade value come the trade deadline. I think the patience at the plate is a little bit of exec management BS s they could not explain Kim’s performance away. Kim has a good glove and speed that few, if any, can match on the team.
The Dodgers don’t need anything the Mets are willing to trade them.
congrats to freeland on making the roster. tough to crack that lineup
give em hell alex
This is downright dumb on LA’s part. Kim was totally fine in the bigs last season, was great in spring training and even showed pop in the WBC.
Something tells me Kim is currently the victim of some sort of algorithm they’re using. He may be back up a month from now – who knows? But in the moment it just comes across as insanity.
Salzilla
Imagine being so sure that
1) you know more about baseball that the Dodgers’ front office
2) you know that much about a player that has a few hundred PA’s in the majors
Imagine not being able to give an opinion on a move in a space for comments about moves in MLB.
Sal
You can
You did
It was a bad one.
That’s your opinion. Enjoy it.
Sal
I mean, sure, if you think a guy who K’s 7 times as often as he walks was “totally fine” because he managed a .396 BABIP over 170 PA, that can be your opinion.
It’s a bad one, though.
Kim in the bigs last year
4.1% BB rate, 30.6% K rate
There were 3 hitters with more than 300 PA’s who walked less than 5% of the time and K’d more than 25% of the time: Pedro Pages, Alex Thomas and Ryan Mountcastle. They combined for a .283 OBP, .123 ISO and 80 wRC+
Kim this spring
3.3% BB rate, 26.7% K rate
He looks completely overmatched at the plate
But I’m sure that he’s some huger aberration and not just that you’re looking at at his batting average or whatever.
You’ve got that Discord mod vibe my guy.
If Kim is overmatched, what say you about Freeland?
dusty
That his K and BB rates show that he has much more control of the strike zone than Kim does.
Kim is getting blown away. Freeland isn’t.
I’m obviously not as smart as you are but it seems the exact opposite to me based on all of the measurables I grew up with. Personally, I take the .300 hitter getting blown away over the guy with all that control batting .100 but that’s just me.
1946? Are you that old?
Maybe they way baseball is measured has changed since then
Again
“Kim in the bigs last year
4.1% BB rate, 30.6% K rate
There were 3 hitters with more than 300 PA’s who walked less than 5% of the time and K’d more than 25% of the time: Pedro Pages, Alex Thomas and Ryan Mountcastle. They combined for a .283 OBP, .123 ISO and 80 wRC+
Kim this spring
3.3% BB rate, 26.7% K rate”
If you think Kim has some magic ability that those guys don’t have, maybe you’re right. I’d bet against it.
It appears that the two-time defending champions are betting against it too.
But, maybe you’re smarter than they are, JA
Yes, I really am that old. Dodgers fan since 1955.
I do (sorta) understand the new measurables. What Kim has done (is doing) is not the only point. The issue, to me, is in comparison with Freeland.
Just being two time defending champions does not make them perfect. I think they may have even made some mistakes while they were winning those championships. I’m just saying the Kim/Freeland move seems strange TO ME.
I’m explaining it to you
Kim hasn’t shown the ability to hot at a major league level.
Playersc with those BB and K rates don’t perform in the majors
Kim had some small sample BABIP luck, that’s almost certainly not going to continue.
Freeland struggled last year. He walked a lot but K’d a ton. He’s probably got more power than Kim and he walks more. That alone makes him a better hitter than Kim. And he’s reduced his K rate this spring.
He came into spring looking like a better butter than Kim and he leaves looking like a better hitter.
That’s why he got the nod
Yes. Kim is faster add, maybe, a better defender, but his hitting looks so poor that those things don’t make up for it
Pay no attention to Jizzhands. You can see by how many negative comments he leaves the dude is miserable. His only comment is the same repeated one. He loves to down play common stats and use bs “park adjusted stats”. Yeah dude we get it, not every play is Ohtani, Judge or the Babe. Those couldn’t and didn’t play shortstop either. Guy doesn’t understand there other things involved in a baseball game other than how hard the ball comes off the bat
There does seem to be something strange going on with Kim. When he plays regularly, he puts up major league numbers. He is versatile on defense and plays several positions. He does have some options but this seems to be a real spirit destroying move. Really makes little sense.
FD
” something strange going on ”
Small sample size BABIP fluctuation
That’s it
It’s not sustainable
Yes, give the guy who’s batting .103 in Spring Training a spot on the squad. I don’t really like this move.
It’s temporary. When Edman comes back in late April/Early May, the player they are carrying now to cover for him probably goes down. Meanwhile a top prospect in Freeland gets an audition.
Let him get every day at bats at AAA. He’s going to be on bench anyway so not much of an audition. Meanwhile, someone they signed who is not making league minimum and had a great spring (and good 2025 at the MLB level) is being sent down.
Maybe it isn’t about getting him everyday ABs. Maybe it’s about getting more of them against major league pitching. In fact, it almost certainly is. This is as good a time as it gets to expose a player to the higher level of play. If you’re saying the Dodgers are one of the few teams to have this luxury, then I say yes, they do.
@Bob…..Freeland has nothing less to prove in the minors. Kim on the other hand, needs to reduce his K rate. I doubt he will ever be an on base machine, more one of those high contact guys who struggle to take a walk.
It’s amusing to see how many folks here refuse to accept the importance of BB/K ratio.
“but he had a really high BABIP in a small sample”
Make that another audition. I do think it will be a showcase for a later deal.
He had an audition last year and, yes, deserves another one. But Kim obviously had a much better spring and so far is the better player. He does not walk enough, apparently, but makes up for that by hitting for a high average. Freeland walks a lot and can’t hit major league hitting.
Cave
Yes, judge a player based on 50ish spring PA’s. Methinks the Dodgers know more about Freeland than you
Chicks dig the longball! But I agree, not a good move.
Cave
“Yes, give the guy who’s batting .103 in Spring Training a spot on the squad.”
How do I dislike this comment? Let me count the ways
1) batting average
2) misuse of a small sample
Yeah man, keep spending time finding all the things that are wrong with my comment. Spend MULTIPLE days marinating on it.
Cave
That you think it took days and not fractions of a second explains a lot.
For the record im only replying because you’re continuing to respond to me. You literally responded multiple different days throughout this week with the same thing, I commented once. Idk what “explains a lot” is when the history is RIGHT THERE for both of us to read lmfaooo
Cave
“For the record im only replying because you’re continuing to respond to me.”
And I’m replying because you are replying.
Really weird how that works.
Or, maybe, I’m living rent free in your brain or whatever nonsense you’re trying to attribute to me.
Anyway. If you don’t understand BABIP, there’s a wealth on information available on the internet.
And if you don’t understand why striking out a lot and not walking is problematic, you can look that up too.
Looking forward to your responding-because-I’m responding-response.
Wow. They did Kim dirty. I think the championships have gone to their head. What a shame. A once likable franchise, is no longer. Kim, if you’re reading, know you didn’t deserve that and always have friends here
Much ado about nothing. Anyone who watched the Dodgers spring games saw Kim flail around at the plate regardless of what the numbers say. Many of his hits were seeing eye grounders. Dodgers are deep with middle infield talent and as has been pointed out when Edman returns this current decision is likely moot.
Dodgers never needed Kim, he was just the shiny new toy at the time and unfortunately it’s going to affect his career path in a negative way
A multibillion dollar corporation being run by infants. Sounds about right.
Kim’s BB and K numbers look like he is completely overmatched at the plate
This spring 3.3% and 26.7%
Last season 4.1% and 30.6%
There was not one qualified hitter in MLB last year who BB’d less than 5% of the time and K’d more than 25% of the time.
There were 3 hitters with more than 300 PA’s who did
Pedro Pages, Alex Thomas and Ryan Mountcastle. They combined for a .283 OBP, .123 ISO and 80 wRC+
That’s just not a successful way hit.
I am sure if Kim had to make decision to sign with a Major league team it wouldn’t be the dodgers. Kim was sold a bill of goods by Dodgers and took a very team friendly deal..Just don’t understand how they don’t give him a chance. How they were fooled by Espinal spring training results is a shocker. Espinal is a negative WAR player. He has no power and in big spots last yr with Reds he couldn’t even get a bunt down when needed. I expect Freeland will be at AAA and Espinal DFAd during season… This is really a shocker…
Kim signed a minor league contract, and not for no reason. He came to MLB as a moderately advanced prospect to a team well equipped to develop him. But sure, he’s going to throw the World Series ring he got in first turn in the majors right back in their faces. Take that bill of goods and shove it! And I’m also sure you have a much better idea of what the Dodgers have in Espinal than they do. Ask Some Guy on the Internet — he always knows!
Ha-ha. Where do people get this nonsense?
I still prefer Kim on the roster. Freeland hasn’t shown anything to justify being on the opening day roster.
This is the clearest plebeian argument for why Kim should be sent down in favor of Freeland.
The smart option is usually the opposite of what ever position DarrenDreifortcontract takes.
I’ve won 3 world series in the past 6 seasons.
Don’t fear my knowledge.
“Freeland hasn’t shown anything to justify being on the opening day roster.”
Solid enough minor league numbers to project (ZiPS) for a roughly league average batting line
A roughly 1 to 1 BB to K ratio. Walk and K rates are the most useful stat in small samples.
As a Reds fan I can tell I have seen a lot of Espinal the past two yrs and he hurt them far more than helped them. He was a -1.4 WAR player last season an OPS under .600. his D at 3B is below average. His D at 2B is serviceable… Enjoy watching him, I am just glad I won’t have to see him again wearing a Reds uniform……
It’s always possible they saw something in Kim’s swing or approach they thought needed work and the best place for that is AAA. It’s always possible they looked at Freeland and saw a good approach that hadn’t translated to his stat line yet and thought he needed more exposure to see what happens.
Thats full time at bats for the people that need them at the level that’s best for them.
It’s also,possible that they aren’t in love with Espinal, know exactly what they have, and see someone both flexible from a positional standpoint and disposable for their long term plans.
If Freeland takes the position then it’s his. If he struggles they have plenty of coverage. Edman becomes the starter, or the best utility backup in baseball.
So many interesting comments here.
According to the majority, it’s almost like the Dodgers make moves willy nilly without a ton of thought and planning involved.
Kim needs better plate discipline to be part of this lineup. He can’t be a player they rely on who isn’t productive within the construct of this lineup. They need him on base consistently, with solid at bats.
Freeland has the ability to walk at a high rate and not strike out very much. See a lot of pitches, which is valuable for the lineup, and bad for the opposing pitch count. He doesn’t need to be a thumper. He needs to set up the thumpers.
I’m here for the Teoscar Hernandez comeback player of the year award.
He was looking like an MVP in the first half of last season before he got hurt. He wasn’t the same player once he returned.
I expect 20-30 homers and 80 plus rbi this season. Not bad for someone who isn’t even considered your top 3-4 hitter.
A huge factor in choosing Freeland over Kim is unique to the Dodgers. In a real game in league play, whichever player you put in the lineup, he will be batting 9th, aka ahead of Ohtani 3 or 4 times a game. Having base runners when Ohtani comes to bat is pure gold. Yesterday, Freeland came to bat in the 3rd with 2 outs and 2 on. He started out 0-2 but then worked the count for a walk. Instead of strike 3 and inning over Ohtani came up with bases loaded. Pure gold.The Dodgers are making a correct and rational choice. For now, Freeland is their backup utility bench player. Kim is in triple A playing every day and, hopefully, learning the US strike zone.