Underrated Dodgers prospect might force Mookie Betts into another position change

The positional versatility of Mookie Betts has been invaluable for the Los Angeles Dodgers in recent years. With the Dodgers committed to signing the best players in baseball and not afraid to spend big, having a superstar like Betts that can play all over the diamond certainly comes in handy. 

Betts is a natural outfielder that has played four different positions since being traded to the Dodgers in 2020. Betts has played over 3,000 innings in right field in his Dodgers career. He has also played 214 innings in center, 690 innings at second base, and 920 innings at shortstop. 

In 2025, Betts has been the everyday shortstop for the Dodgers, which has allowed them to have Andy Pages, Teoscar Hernández, and the recently signed Michael Conforto in the lineup at the same time. 

But Betts might not be done moving. An underrated Dodgers prospect is knocking on the door of the major leagues and could force Betts to make another position change. 

Is Alex Freeland the Dodgers' shortstop of the future?

Alex Freeland was the Dodgers’ third-round pick and the 105th overall selection in the 2022 MLB Draft. Freeland was an experienced college player when he was drafted out of UCF that does everything pretty well. On the 20-80 scale, he does not have a single tool rated below 50. 

After two productive seasons in the lower levels of the minor leagues, Freeland played at three different levels in 2024 and tallied 63 extra-base hits. That elevated him to the No. 4 prospect in the Dodgers’ organization and the No. 66 prospect on MLB.com’s Top 100 list ahead of 2025. 

Freeland is now hitting .290 with an OPS of .825 at Triple-A this season. He’s 23 years old and knocking on the door of the major leagues. He is also proving to be an impressive defensive shortstop, showing range to both sides with plus arm strength. 

If Freeland were to get the call to the big leagues, it may mean that Mookie Betts needs to move back to second base. The Dodgers currently have Hyeseong Kim playing second base every day, but Kim’s primary value comes from his speed more than his bat. 

It’s important for Los Angeles to nurture Freeland’s ability to excel defensively at a premium position. They can get creative on the rest of the diamond, and Betts’ versatility gives them some wiggle room. 

With Hernández on the Injured List and Conforto struggling at the plate, I wouldn’t hate seeing Betts move back to the outfield temporarily, either, well before Freeland's arrival. But that's another story.