The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Alex Call from the Washington Nationals for pitching prospects Eriq Swan and Sean Paul Liñan.
Call fills the Dodgers’ need for a right-handed hitting outfielder who should primarily platoon with Michael Conforto in left field. Adding an outfielder also became more of a necessity after the Dodgers traded James Outman to the Minnesota Twins.
The 30-year-old was in the midst of a strong season with the Nationals, batting .274/.371/.386 with three home runs, 26 RBI, 30 runs scored and a 118 wRC+ across 72 games.
Over his career, Call has hit .242/.342/.369 with 19 home runs, 91 RBI, 106 runs scored, a 102 wRC+ and 3.1 WAR in 277 games played.
Call has also been at his best against left-handed pitching, posting a 124 wRC+ this season and a 110 mark over his career.
He does not have much power to his game, but Call has elite bat-to-ball skills and a strong eye, which is backed by his 15.2% strikeout rate and 11% walk rate.
Call has seen time in all three outfield spots and ranks in the 73rd percentile among outfielders with one out above average and in the 82nd percentile of arm strength, averaging 88.8 mph on his throws.
His speed is above average at 27.8 feet per second, but he’s not one to steal many bases with just 18 in his career.
Call is under contract through the 2029 season with four years of arbitration remaining, making him a player who should have a role in the future as well.
Dodgers trade two prospects for Alex Call
Swan and Liñan are a pair of right-handed pitching prospects who were both ranked within the top 30 of the Dodgers farm system. MLB pipeline had Swan ranked No. 16 and Liñan at No. 20.
Swan features plus-stuff with four pitches that project to be above average MLB pitches, but his command has been a major issue and he hasn’t been able to back his stuff with results.
For the High-A Great Lakes Loons, the 23-year-old posted a 4.43 ERA while striking out 10.04 hitters per nine but walking 6 batters per nine across 69 innings.
Liñan is somewhat the opposite of Swan as someone who only has one plus offering, his changeup, but has good command of his pitches. The 20-year-old pitched to a 2.78 ERA with the Loons across 74 innings while striking out 12.23 hitters per nine and walking 3.75.
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