{
  "id": 6641045,
  "title": "Dodgers Rookie, Former Top Prospect Trolled After Viral Moment in Blowout",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/dodgers-rookie-former-top-prospect-trolled-after-viral-moment-in",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-10T20:53:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/sports/mlb/dodgers-rookie-former-top-prospect-trolled-after-viral-moment-in-blowout-12428415"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Alex Freeland found himself in the center of online ridicule after a peculiar moment during a recent blowout win against the Cincinnati Reds. The incident occurred during Freeland's eighth inning at-bat, where he stood against Reds' catcher Jose Trevino. Freeland refrained from swinging at the first five pitches, working a full count against the Red. The final pitch, a knuckleball, delivered at the top of the strike zone, resulted in Freeland swinging and missing, causing his bat to fly into a camera well. However, everyone was unharmed.\n\nThe viral moment sparked a wave of online commentary, with users joking about Freeland's unlikely strikeout. Despite this rough showing in his final at-bat of the game, Freeland had a decent overall performance for the Dodgers on Wednesday. In his first plate appearance of the inning, he drove in a run, though it ended in a double play. He also hit a double into the gap in the fourth inning, bringing home a run, and walked twice during the game.\n\nFreeland had a brief stint in the majors last season, playing 29 games between July 2025 and September 2025 before returning to the minors. He started the current MLB season with the Dodgers, earning a spot on the Opening Day roster after a solid performance in the Cactus League. Through 81 games this season, Freeland has hit three home runs and 20 RBIs, maintaining a .612 OPS. Despite his brief time in the majors, the Dodgers have a wealth of talent in Minor League Baseball, suggesting that Freeland's future with the team may be uncertain as the postseason approaches. He will aim to carry the momentum from his Wednesday performance into the team's upcoming series against the Miami Marlins, starting on Friday.",
  "summary": "Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Alex Freeland went viral after Thursday's blowout win against the Cincinnati Reds.",
  "key_points": [
    "Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Alex Freeland trolled online after strikeout in blowout win.",
    "Freeland's viral moment involved missing a knuckleball pitch, causing bat to fly into camera.",
    "Freeland had strong overall performance with 2 doubles, 2 walks, and 3 RBIs in game."
  ],
  "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."
}