Relearning 2B in Fall League can only benefit this Dodgers outfield prospect

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Besides serving as a finishing school for prospects, the Arizona Fall League also exists as a laboratory for experiments. Through the years, MLB has tested rules changes such as instant replay, pitch clocks and an automated ball-strike challenge system, all of which were adopted for big league play.

The AFL also allows players to try out different positions. The highest-profile example this fall was White Sox slugger Caleb Bonemer, who ranks No. 27 on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects list. A third baseman and shortstop for most of his pro career, Bonemer spent his entire time with the Glendale Desert Dogs shuttling between all three outfield spots.

Another Top 100 prospect on the Desert Dogs has moved in the opposite direction. Charles Davalan is working at second base after manning left and center field during his sophomore season at Arkansas and all of his pro career.

Unlike Bonemer, who hadn't played the outfield before the final three weeks of the Minor League regular season, Davalan has plenty of middle-infield experience. He spent most of his high school career on the dirt and split his freshman season at Florida Gulf Coast between second base and right field. He divided his first full pro season almost evenly between center and left field.

The Dodgers have perhaps the best group of outfield prospects in baseball, including Josue De Paula, Eduardo Quintero and Mike Sirota, all of whom are ranked in the first 17 spots on the Top 100, which also includes Davalan at No. 79. If Davalan can handle second base, that would make it easier for Los Angeles to fit that quartet into its future lineup.

"They talked to me with about a month left in the year and said I was going to come play in this league and play second," said Davalan, the 41st overall pick in the 2025 Draft. "So I got some reps there in practice but didn't play in games. It's something they wanted me to try, and I'm super open-minded."

While Davalan is familiar with second base, he still feels like he has a lot to learn. He has the quickness for the position, and his fringy arm strength is playable there. He has committed three errors in 15 games with the Desert Dogs.

"Just knowing how to set my feet, and double plays are kind of a bit hard, but the main thing is just catching the ball," Davalan said. "There's a bunch of stuff I need to work on, but the staff here has been awesome. I feel since Day 1, I've done a good job of getting back and getting my feet wet."

The Dodgers drafted Davalan in the supplemental first round primarily for his sweet left-handed stroke and penchant for making hard contact. He showed more power than expected in his first full pro season, batting .292/.402/.535 with 24 homers and 17 steals in 115 games with Great Lakes. He was named Midwest League MVP and led the High-A circuit with 29 doubles, 56 extra-base hits and 235 total bases.

While Davalan's bat-to-ball skills have been evident in the Fall League, he hasn't done much damage, hitting just .217/.333/.350. He quickly shut down the notion that working on a new position has affected him at the plate, and he isn't too worried about his numbers.

"It kind of sucks to not be hitting good, but I'm always going to go up there and hit," Davalan said. "I haven't been all that great, but the Dodgers mentioned just to go there and play defense, so that's kind of taken the weight off my shoulders."