Dodgers’ Prospect Watch: 2017 MLB Spring Training Recap

WILLIE CALHOUN

Calhoun turned his solid 2016 season into a non-roster invite to Spring Training. The Vallejo, CA native may not be your prototypical….well.. anything. He’s a 5’8″ power-hitting second baseman who made waves across the minor leagues last year. His 27 dingers and 88 ribbies over132 games just shows the kinda of potential he has.

His spring was a bit more of the same. A .945 OPS with a handful of RBIs and, most impressively, one strikeout. He didn’t necessarily flash the power we got to see all last year, only 1 spring bomb, but his .360 average says a lot about him just improving as a hitter. It may be a small sample, but being able to combine gap to gap hitting with power makes for a very scary situation. 

Some may worry that with the move to acquire Logan Forsythe there may be no place for Calhoun to move into when he is ready, which could be soon. Luckily, there have been talks about him playing third, where he played in college, or just making the classic “I hit but can’t field a grounder” move to the outfield. Either way, he has been emphasizing defense this offseason, so to see him come out and have an improved year at second wouldn’t be a shocker.

One day, all three of the before mentioned players could align in the outfield for Los Angeles. A potentially powerful trio with years of greatness ahead. Sounds fun if you’re asking me.

Bottom Line: Be prepared for a more complete player in 2017 and beyond