Dodgers Add Long-Time MLB Outfielder Kole Calhoun on MiLB Contract
The Dodgers made a surprise minor league signing on Tuesday, adding longtime MLB outfielder Kole Calhoun on an MiLB contract. Kalhoun is already in El Paso with the Oklahoma City Dodgers, and is in the lineup tonight, per Alex Freedman on Twitter.
#Dodgers have made a couple of notable minor league signings.
11-year MLB veteran outfielder Kole Calhoun has joined OKC in El Paso and is in the lineup tonight. Had been with Yankees' Triple-A team until recently opting out.
(contd.)— Alex Freedman (@azfreedman) June 6, 2023
Calhoun was most recently with the New York Yankees Triple-A squad, but decided to opt out to presumably look for an opportunity back in the MLB. While he’s starting in Triple-A with the Dodgers, there does seem to be a potential path to the Majors with the recent injury to Trayce Thompson.
Calhoun is an 11-year MLB veteran, spending a majority of his career with the Los Angeles Angels. He hit at least 16 home runs in seven straight seasons between 2014 and 2020, including a career-high 33 home runs in 152 games in 2019.
Calhoun has played all three outfield positions and first base in his career, although he’s spent a majority of his time in right. In 2015, he even won a Gold Glove Award in right field, with six defensive runs saved above average.
After spending the first eight years of his career with the Angels, Calhoun spent two with the NL West’s Arizona Diamondbacks, before playing with the Texas Rangers in 2022.
Now, after hitting four home runs and 18 RBI with an OPS of .919 in 105 plate appearances with the Yankees’ Triple-A squad, he’s with the OKC Dodgers, looking to hopefully make an impact at the big league level at some point this season.
For what it’s worth, in 70 career plate appearances at Dodger Stadium, Calhoun is slashing .290/.371/.677 with six home runs and eight runs batted in. That makes for an impressive 1.049 OPS at the Chavez Ravine in his career. We’ll see if he gets to add to that at some point this season.
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