The Los Angeles Dodgers are calling up top prospect Alex Freeland, per The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya.

Freeland is the team’s No. 3 overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and plays the infield.

The likely corresponding move would be outfielder Esteury Ruiz being optioned, assuming no one is going on the injured list. Infielder Hyeseong Kim is battling a shoulder injury, but it hasn’t kept him out of the lineup, as he started at second base on Monday.

The expected move would be Ruiz being sent down, allowing Freeland to serve as infield depth, with Tommy Edman getting more time in the outfield. Freeland could even play third base until Max Muncy returns, which is expected to be either this weekend or early next week.

Who is Alex Freeland?

The Dodgers selected Freeland in the third round of the 2023 MLB Draft. The infielder quickly rose through the minor league ranks, beginning this season in Triple-A, where he’s slashed .253/.377/.421 with 12 home runs, 71 runs batted in and an OPS of .799.

Freeland, 23, has mainly played third base and shortstop, while also spending a little time at second base in the Dodgers organization.

He’s a switch-hitter who could spell Muncy at third base and Mookie Betts at shortstop while also potentially getting opportunities at second base since Kim mainly plays against right-handed pitching.

With Kiké Hernandez nowhere near a return, the Dodgers appear ready to see what Freeland can give them at the MLB level.

Here’s MLB Pipeline’s scouting report on Freeland:

“Freeland’s swing decisions rank among the best in Los Angeles’ system, and he ranked sixth in the Minors with 91 walks in ’24. A switch-hitter, he makes more contact and has more impact from the left side of the plate, though he did improve his righty production last season. He has a quick bat and good feel for launching balls in the air to his pull side, which could translate into 20 homers per year.

“While he’s an average runner, Freeland’s advanced instincts allow him to play quicker than that on the bases and at shortstop. He covers ground to both sides and has reliable hands and plus arm strength, ingredients that add up to solid defense at short. He also has seen action at second and third base and has a floor of a utilityman, but he definitely profiles as an everyday player at shortstop.”