The Los Angeles Dodgers, the defending World Series champions, have announced that Alex Freeland will start at second base for Opening Day 2026. This decision comes despite Freeland’s challenging performance during Spring Training, where he recorded a batting average of just .116 with five hits in 43 at-bats.
In a surprising move, Hyeseong Kim, who excelled in Spring Training with a .407 batting average and 11 hits in 27 at-bats, was optioned to Triple-A. Observers noted that the decision was not solely based on on-field metrics, as Kim had a significantly better overall performance compared to Freeland.
Freeland did manage to hit a home run during Spring Training, but he struggled to find consistency at the plate, tallying only five hits and leading the Dodgers with 11 walks. Scouts have expressed optimism about Freeland’s potential, stating, “Freeland has a ton of promise, but he needs to start delivering at the plate.”
The Dodgers opened their season with a decisive 8-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, marking a strong start for the defending champions. Freeland is expected to platoon with Miguel Rojas at second base as the season progresses.
Following the game, the Dodgers received their World Series rings, celebrating their back-to-back championships from 2024 and 2025. The team is poised to face Ryne Nelson in their next matchup, and Freeland’s performance will be closely monitored as the season unfolds.
Freeland’s role as a switch-hitter adds depth to the Dodgers’ lineup, especially with Tommy Edman currently absent. As the season progresses, the team will look to Freeland to improve his offensive contributions while maintaining a strong defensive presence.
With the season now underway, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Freeland can turn around his Spring Training struggles and help the Dodgers defend their title.
