One of the top prospects in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, second baseman Willie Calhoun was promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City for the Pacific Coast League championship series against El Paso Chihuahuas (San Diego Padres affiliate).
Oklahoma City is trailing in the series, 2-0, and must come away with a win Friday night in order to avoid being swept. Brett Anderson is on a rehab assignment and starts for OKC in Game 3, with the series now shifting to Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
Calhoun played 132 games with Double-A Tulsa this season, batting .254/.318/.469 and ranking second in the Texas League with 28 home runs and 75 runs scored while leading the league with 88 RBIs. The Drillers did not qualify for postseason play.
Calhoun joins former Drillers teammates Alex Verdugo, Cody Bellinger, Joe Broussard and Chase De Jong as those who have been promoted for OKC’s playoff push.
The team lost multiple key contributors to the Dodgers prior to and once active rosters expanded in September. Oklahoma City also added Casey Fien to their roster, as the right-handed reliever cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Minors.
Calhoun is the lone representative remaining in the Dodgers organization that played in the 2016 Futures Game. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2015 Draft.
Calhoun replaces O’Koyea Dickson on Oklahoma City’s roster, as the outfielder suffered a quad injury in Game 2 that’s forced him to the disabled list.
