Alex Call has wasted no time getting the approval of his new teammates on the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers acquired Call from the Washington Nationals for two pitching prospects at the trade deadline.
In addition to clutch defensive plays Call has made in the outfield, he has been a solid hitter for Los Angeles. He has logged two hits, one walk and no strikeouts in his first seven at-bats with the Dodgers.
Two-time World Series champion and longtime Dodgers veteran Clayton Kershaw said Call is a good addition to the team’s roster. The three-time Cy Young Award winner has previous experience facing Call and said he is a challenge for southpaws like himself.
“I’ve faced Alex a few times,” Kershaw said to the Los Angeles Times. “He’s tough against lefties, a great defender. A good add, for sure.”
Call has started once in right field and once in left field to give Michael Conforto and Teoscar Hernández a day off. He has made four total appearances between those two positions.
Conforto has struggled at the plate all season, averaging .188 in 101 games. Call could be a solid replacement for Conforto, as he would be able to contribute offensively and defensively.
Before joining the Dodgers, Call overcame a career-worst season in 2023. It was his second MLB season and he averaged .200 in a career-high 128 games.
The Nationals kept Call in and out of the minor leagues the following season in 2024. But when he was batting in MLB, Call was slashing a career-best .343/.425/.525 in 30 games with Washington.
Call earned a spot on the Nationals’ Opening Day roster this season and has held a consistent role in MLB ever since.
The Dodgers will benefit from adding another impact bat like Call’s to the lineup as they head into the final stretch of the season. He will also be under team through the 2029 season, meaning Los Angeles will be able to help further develop Call for multiple years to come.