How Dodgers’ Alex Call Became MLB’s Toughest At-Bat

After struggling in the minors and staring down the possibility that his professional baseball career might end early, Alex Call decided to reinvent himself. He leaned into relentless work and modern training methods.

Now, in 2025, the outfielder is making an immediate impact for the Los Angeles Dodgers after a deadline trade. It’s wild to see how Call went from a struggling Double-A hitter to one of Major League Baseball’s toughest outs.

From Struggles to Self-Discovery

At the end of the 2019 minor-league season, Alex Call’s future looked pretty shaky. He batted just .205 for the Cleveland Guardians’ Double-A affiliate and struck out nearly 30% of the time.

For a lot of guys, those numbers mean it’s time to start thinking about life after baseball. But Call took it as a sign to completely overhaul his game.

The Pandemic Training Revolution

When the 2020 season shut down for the pandemic, Call saw an unexpected chance to rebuild. He bought a pitching machine so he could simulate live at-bats in his garage.

He also picked up virtual reality hitting goggles to sharpen his pitch recognition. That tech let him zero in on a big weakness — high fastballs — and build a disciplined approach focused on only attacking pitches in his favorite zones until two strikes.

Breakthrough in the Box

By 2021, Call’s transformation started turning heads. His batting average jumped to .310 in Double-A, and he cut his strikeout rate almost in half.

That kind of surge earned him a promotion to Triple-A, then finally, his long-awaited call-up to the majors in 2022.

A Career of Twists and Turns

It wasn’t all a straight shot up from there. Cleveland designated him for assignment, and the Washington Nationals claimed him.

In 2024, he spent a lot of time back in Triple-A. Still, his improved plate discipline stuck with him — a skill set that eventually made him pretty attractive to a contender.

Dodgers See the Value

Since the start of 2024, Call’s ranked among the league’s best in a few key areas:

• Top-tier batting average
• Low strikeout rate
• High walk rate
• Exceptional chase rate

He’s actually one of only four players this season (minimum 200 plate appearances) to strike out less than 15%, chase fewer than 20% of pitches outside the zone, and whiff less than 20% of the time. That rare mix — plus his defensive versatility and team control through 2029 — convinced the Dodgers to send two pitching prospects to the Nationals for him at the 2025 MLB trade deadline.

Fast Impact in LA

Call didn’t waste any time showing why the Dodgers wanted him. In his first week in Los Angeles, he put up a two-hit game and made a highlight-reel, wall-crashing catch in the outfield.

Even better, he hasn’t struck out in his first eight at-bats with the club. Not a bad way to make a first impression.

The Mental Game and Lasting Lessons

Call credits his success to a mix of persistence, adaptability, and years of disciplined work. For younger players, his story really drives home something important: baseball rewards those who make uncomfortable changes, embrace technology, and keep grinding through setbacks.

Dodgers’ October Aspirations

The Dodgers want that second straight World Series title. Call’s skill set might actually make a difference in October.

He controls the strike zone, avoids strikeouts, and brings defensive value. That gives the roster a versatile, reliable option for those tense postseason moments.

Sometimes he works deep counts. Other times he sprays line drives or steals extra-base hits from opponents.

Alex Call’s journey—from fringe minor leaguer to trusted contributor on baseball’s biggest stage—just feels improbable. It’s a story built on preparation, smart adjustments, and a stubborn belief in the process.

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Here is the source article for this story: ‘Straight grinder.’ How new Dodger Alex Call became one of MLB’s toughest at-bats