Last season's championship run for the Los Angeles Dodgers was a dream for many, but not every player shared in the glory. CJ Alexander, a corner infielder, found himself on a rollercoaster ride through the majors. After being claimed off waivers by the Dodgers from the New York Yankees in early July, Alexander faced the harsh reality of being designated for assignment just a week later-his third such experience in a little over a month.
Despite clearing waivers, Alexander spent the remainder of the season in the minors, waiting for a big league opportunity that never materialized. When November rolled around, he opted for free agency, making a return to the Dodgers seem unlikely for the 29-year-old.
Fast forward to this week, and Alexander's path has taken another turn. He's signed a minor-league deal with the Houston Astros and is heading to Triple-A Sugar Land.
Though his major league experience is limited-just 10 games with four hits in 25 at-bats and no extra-base hits-his minor league record tells a different story. Alexander has consistently showcased his power, hitting at least 15 home runs in each of the past four seasons.
Adding an interesting twist to his journey is his brother, Blaze Alexander, who is carving out a role as a utility player in the majors. Blaze recently made a move himself, traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Baltimore Orioles.
As for CJ's prospects with the Astros, breaking into the opening day roster might be a long shot. The first base position is crowded with talent like Isaac Paredes and Christian Walker. However, if Alexander can bring his power-hitting prowess to the forefront and circumstances align-perhaps through trades or injuries-he might just find his way back to the majors this season.