{
  "id": 10818166,
  "title": "Former MLB Top Prospect Leaves Dodgers Just Before Postseason",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/former-mlb-top-prospect-leaves-dodgers-just-before-postseason",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-30T00:33:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/sports/mlb/former-mlb-top-prospect-leaves-dodgers-just-before-postseason-12503148"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Alek Thomas, once a top prospect for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has departed from the team just prior to the postseason. Thomas, 26, had reached the pinnacle of his career when he won the Triple-A National Championship MVP award, but he chose to leave the Dodgers. After spending his first four seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thomas was traded to the Dodgers in May of his fifth season. He spent the majority of the season in the minors, but was recalled by the Dodgers in August after Andy Pages suffered a wrist fracture, playing only seven games with a .513 OPS and three RBIs. Thomas was then sent back to Triple-A and designated for assignment shortly after. Despite his struggles during his time with the Dodgers, Thomas had a decent performance with the Diamondbacks, but never fully lived up to his hype. He posted a .633 OPS and hit 31 homers and 143 RBIs, with his skills largely coming from base running and fielding. Now a free agent, Thomas looks to join a new team as he aims to reestablish himself as a MLB center fielder.",
  "summary": "Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Alek Thomas elected free agency less than a week before the Dodgers begin their postseason run.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}