Alex Freeland, a 24-year-old Dodgers player, has overcome criticism about his performance this spring and is aiming to become a starter. Despite initially struggling in his big-league debut, Freeland had an offseason of growth and maturation, including spending the entire winter training with Dodgers staff at the team's Camelback Ranch facility in Arizona. The team hopes to see an improved version of Freeland entering 2026. His season debut was marked by improved plate discipline and refined swing mechanics, and he hit a home run in his first game with an assist on defense. Despite being demoted to the minors in early September, he credits this experience with helping him understand and mature himself.