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The reigning back-to-back World Series champions, The Los Angeles Dodgers, secured their second win of 2026 against the Arizona Diamondbacks in a 5-4 victory on March 27. On a roster of superstars, an unlikely hero delivered his first home run of the season and crossed the plate as the go-ahead run in the eighth inning.
Alex Freeland got his first start of the season at second base. In his first at-bat of the season, Freeland launched a 413-foot home run to right field to put the Dodgers on the board in the third inning.
Alex Freeland’s first AB of the season… GONE 💥
First game of the year, first swing, first homer. 🚀⚾
Freeland finished the night 2-for-3, with a home run and a double. Kyle Tucker’s single drove in Freeland as the eventual game-winning run.
“I’m just happy that we’re starting off on a good note, and everybody feels like we’re one,” Freeland said in a post by The LA Times. “It’s just exciting to play for this team and in front of all these fans. I’m just enjoying it.”
However, earlier this offseason, the 24-year-old’s spot on the roster was not guaranteed.
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Alex Freeland Beats Out World Series Contributor Hyeseong Kim For 2026 40-Man Roster
In January 2025, the Dodgers signed Hyeseong Kim to a three-year, $12.5 million deal. He was acquired from the KBO’s Kiwoom Heroes for his speed and contact.
The left-handed hitter made his MLB debut on May 3, where he served in a utility role for the remainder of the season. Kim landed himself a spot on the World Series roster, whereas Alex Freeland who rotated in and out of the lineup, did not.
As Spring Training approached, fans were left wondering who fill the spot until $74 million second baseman Tommy Edman, returned.
Ultimately, the spot went to Freeland.
“It was probably the toughest decision of the spring,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on SportsNet LA broadcast. “There’s no doubt that Hyeseong at some point is going to come help us out.
In Spring Training, Kim had a .407/.448/.519 slash line with a home run and six RBIs through 27 at-bats. Kim’s time in the Cactus League was limited due to his participation in the World Baseball Classic with team Korea.
Following Kim’s impressive line, Freeland posted a .125/.302/.229 slash line. He knocked in seven RBIs and a home run in 20 games and 48 at-bats.
“I think with Alex, what he’s done in Triple-A already, he’s played well there and there’s really nothing left for him to prove there.” Roberts said. “So I think for us to give him a little bit of runway to see what we have in him, give him an opportunity to play here for us against right-handed pitching and just kind of see where it goes.”
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Los Angeles Dodgers Second Baseman Carousel
The depth of the Dodgers runs deep this season, and the second base position sits a the forefront.
With and injured Tommy Edman
Veteran Miguel Rojas made the start at second on Opening Day, and Alex Freeland took over the following day.
McKenna Van Gundy McKenna Van Gundy is a sports journalist covering the NFL for Heavy.com. She spent two years as a sports contributor for her University’s newspaper, covering games and writing feature stories on players and coaches. She currently works for the NFL as a digital programming associate and lives in the greater Los Angeles area. More about McKenna Van Gundy
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