The Los Angeles Dodgers further bolstered their organizational catching depth with the signing of David Freitas to a Minor League contract. He was assigned to Triple-A Oklahoma City and joins the team after being released from the New York Yankees organization during the 2022 season.
Much like fellow catcher and recent Dodgers signee Patrick Mazeika, Freitas has some MLB experience. Freitas was selected by the Washington Nationals in the 15th round of the 2010 MLB Draft, and made his debut with the Atlanta Braves in 2017.
He only played in six games for the Braves, but joined the Seattle Mariners the following year for his most extensive experience to this point — 36 games. The Wilton, California native last was up in the Majors during the 2019 season, when he appeared in a combined 19 games for the Mariners and Milwaukee Brewers.
In 59 games over parts of three seasons, Freitas hit .200/.268/.288 with eight doubles, one home run and eight RBI.
While with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last year, he batted .239/.310/.345 with six doubles, two home runs and nine RBI in 36 games. The 33-year-old primarily played catcher for the RailRiders, but also made starts at designated hitter.
Freitas has additionally played some first base throughout his Minor League career, but only played two innings at the position off the bench for the Mariners in 2018.
Who have the Dodgers signed this offseason?
During an offseason that’s been dominated by Dodgers free agents who have left the team, additions to this point have largely been to the fringes of the roster or for the purpose of organizational depth.
Excluding re-signing Clayton Kershaw and adding Shelby Miller, J.D. Martinez and Noah Syndergaard on respective one-year contracts, the only other notable Dodgers signings have been Adam Kolarek, Jason Heyward and Steven Duggar to Minor League deals.
Heyward and Duggar are long shot candidates to potentially help the Dodgers fill their void in center field after non-tendering Cody Bellinger, who went on to sign with the Chicago Cubs.
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