Freeman embraces new role batting third in the order
by Christian Romo
Freddie Freeman didn’t take a single plate appearance batting third in the order in his historic 2023 season. And if Wednesday’s results are a sign, his production should transfer to the third spot just fine.
The Dodger first baseman faced Chicago White Sox pitcher Touki Toussaint with the bases loaded and two outs down two runs in the top of the fourth inning. Toussaint had just walked designated hitter Shohei Ohtani — who was 2-for-2 with an RBI at the time — facing Freeman with the bases loaded.
Freeman made him pay, launching a grand slam into the right-field bullpen.
The decision to walk Ohtani came during a sparkling Spring Training start for the slugger, with the designated hitter batting .583 (7-for-12) through five Cactus League games.
Freeman finished 1-for-2 with a walk, grand slam and five RBI in the Dodgers’ 12–9 win against the White Sox. Both Ohtani (1.667 OPS in five games) and second baseman Mookie Betts (1.155 OPS in nine games) have paced the offense at the top of the order during the spring, with Freeman looking to heat up right behind them.
“Shohei and (Betts) have been pretty impressive the last couple of weeks,” Freeman said. “I think I’m going to get a few more opportunities with runners on, so hopefully I can cash them.”
The Dodger first baseman batted second in the lineup in all his 161 games in 2023, but Ohtani’s arrival has pushed Freeman down to third in the order during Cactus League play. The hope, according to Dodger manager Dave Roberts, is to provide Ohtani with better looks at the plate with the 2020 National League Most Valuable Player hitting behind him.
Freeman said he feels comfortable batting behind Ohtani.
“I’ve pretty much hit third until I got here and started to hit second,” he said. “It’s no big difference. The pitcher has been in the stretch a lot more the past couple of weeks because I’ve been hitting third with the guys in front of me, but I don’t know if you’ll notice any pitching difference.”
Notes
Starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto gave up five runs on six hits in three innings of work in his second Cactus League start on Wednesday. Yamamoto gave up three runs in the first inning and another two in the third before finishing his outing.
Yamamoto said he struggled to get comfortable while working on new things, including throwing from the stretch position.
“It wasn’t feeling right, and probably (throwing from the stretch) is something that I need to work on,” he said.
- Right fielder Andy Pages continued his hot hitting, going 2-for-2 with an RBI and two runs on Wednesday. He raised his Cactus League average to .471 and now has a team-leading nine RBI during Spring Training.
- New arrival Andre Lipcius saw his first action in a Dodger uniform, coming in for second baseman Mookie Betts in the fifth inning. He went 2-for-3 with an RBI single in his first plate appearance.
