CINCINNATI – Former UCF shortstop Alex Freeland has been called up to the Major Leagues for the first time and will join the Los Angeles Dodgers in Cincinnati on Tuesday.
Freeland, who played the 2021 and 2022 seasons for the Knights, is the Dodgers top infield prospect. Currently ranked as Los Angeles’ No. 3 prospect overall, he is slashing .253/.377/.421 with 12 home runs, 26 doubles, 71 runs batted in, and 69 runs scored with Triple-A Oklahoma City this season. He has also stolen 17 bases and committed just 13 errors over 333 total chances defensively at shortstop, third base and second base in 2025.
Freeland was one of just four minor leaguers to have recorded 30 doubles and 30 stolen bases last year. Over 136 games for three different teams in 2024, he slashed .260/.387/.442 with 18 homers, 32 doubles, three triples, 74 RBIs, 100 runs scored, 31 stolen bases, and 132 total hits.
Freeland was drafted in the third round and the 105th overall selection of the 2022 MLB Draft out of UCF by the Dodgers. During his freshman and sophomore seasons in Orlando, the switch-hitter batted .285 with 103 hits, 18 homers, 18 doubles, 75 RBIs, 79 runs scored, and nine stolen bases over 102 games played. He was also named to the American Athletic Conference All-Tournament Team during his freshman year in 2021.
Freeland hails from Cape Coral, Florida, where he prepped at Mariner High School.
Freeland will join the Dodgers in Cincinnati, as LA is currently in the midst of a three-game series at the Reds. Following the Cincinnati series, Freeland and the Dodgers will travel to the Sunshine State to play a three-game weekend series beginning Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays at Steinbrenner Field.
Freeland is UCF’s fourth current Varsity Knight playing in the big leagues, as he joins UTL Dylan Moore of the Seattle Mariners, RHP Ben Lively of the Cleveland Guardians (currently on the injured list), and LHP Colton Gordon of the Houston Astros. He will also become the 17th all-time Knight to play in the majors.
