November 5th, 2016 at 7:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka When Dodgers second base prospect Willie Calhoun learned that he had been named to the Arizona Fall League (AFL) Fall Stars team, he immediately experienced a series of emotions – all of them good.
“It means a lot obviously. Being recognized as one of the best minor league baseball players at your position, just being able to take that role is huge and obviously an honor,” said Calhoun, who turned 22 years old on Friday. “Even being in the same category as all these guys out here, you obviously take that with kindness. It’s an honor just to be able to play with all these people.”
Calhoun spent most of the 2016 season at Double-A Tulsa where he posted a slash-line of .254 / .318 / .469 for an OPS of .788; not exactly over-the-top numbers but good enough to earn a late season promotion to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers for postseason play and, more importantly, an invitation to the 25th anniversary season of the prestigious Arizona Fall League. In his nine games with the Glendale Desert Dogs thus far, the Vallejo, California native and Dodgers 2015 second-round draft pick is hitting .286 with one home run, one double and four RBIs.
Calhoun figures to receive an invitation to major league spring training camp in 2017. In fact, depending on what the Dodgers do this off-season at second base, he might even be given a legitimate shot at becoming the Dodgers every day second baseman next season.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
Is the caliber of pitching better in Fall ball than at the Double-A or Triple-A levels?
“I feel like it’s the same we saw in Double-A in Tulsa and when I went up for a short amount of time at Triple-A, I feel like it’s the same,” Calhoun said. “Obviously, these pitchers have better stuff and are able to control it more but that’s better for the hitters, honestly, because it’s more just seeing that your plan is better than the pitcher’s plan.”
On the other side of the ball, Calhoun has done exceptionally well at second base, having committed only one throwing error in his eight games at second base (he was the DH for one game).
After 150 regular and postseason games and another six weeks in the Arizona Fall League you would think that Calhoun would be exhausted and looking forward to the off-season, albeit an abbreviated one. Think again.
“For the off-season I’m just looking forward to working hard and preparing myself to being ready for next year,” Calhoun said. “Hopefully, doing all I can to get to the big leagues next year.”
In other words … what off season?
* * * * * * * * * * * *
(Note: The 2016 AFL Fall Stars Game will be carried live on MLB Network and MLB.com. First pitch is scheduled for 5:08 pm PT).
Posted in 
@11WillieCalhoun Little Rory Calhoun!!
3 for 3 with 2 runs scored and 3 RBI for MVP — ATTABOY! First chance I had to watch Calhoun and Bellinger for several at bats. Based on that one game, very impressed with Calhoun’s swing, mechanics, and eye-hand coordination. Bellinger? Swings as hard as Joc but with better mechanics, much less head movement. Seemed that Bellinger was intent on hitting home runs in the game; came close in first inning with CF’er catching his long fly ball with his back to the RCF fence. Home run to RF was a monster. Was looking forward to seeing Verdugo, but he went to Japan instead to play with Mexico in 2 exhibition games — good opportunity for the young man.
Was that 3 RBI official? That was my count too, but broadcasters were talking like it was 4. 1 run should have been scored on an error. Maybe it was, but I didn’t hear anybody say.
Calhoun apparently showed some wheels on that bases clearing double too. They didn’t show him running but it sounded like he caught the broadcasters by surprise.
I read a scouting report on Bellinger a few days back, saying he picked up that HR swing in ’15, seems to like it too much. They best get to work correcting that before he gets to the Show if they want him ready to take over for Gonzo.
Box score had 3. I thought one run that scored was clearly due to the error. Spot on about the swing.
Hello SoCalBum! Hope ya can see this post.
loud and clear
Guys, I’m just going to enjoy the moment. Bellinger might be trigger happy with his swing, as Joc was. However, in watching him play this year he could/did hit to the opposite field and up the middle.
I am sure in the “Fall Stars” game he was swinging from the heels. Why not?
I suppose it is never too early to worry about his swing. However, I think he is an exceptional talent that will do what he has to do hit at whatever level he plays. That is, with coaching as they say, “make adjustments.”
With Tulsa in 2016 he hit .273 against LHP in 99 AB’s with six home runs.
In three games with OKC he had three home runs, two of them off left-handers.
Exactly what I was going to point out as far as Bellinger’s HR coming off a LHP!
For 2017 Dodgers must be prepared to do better against LHP but it’s good to see Bellinger doing well enough so far against them even during regular season at Tulsa. Some might point out there’s more RHP but still, if Dodgers are again too LH dominant then the other teams will continue to throw as many LHP at the Dodgers whenever possible. Why did Giants get Matt Moore and Will Smith in 2016? Simple answer: to face Dodgers, as they were DEAD LAST in MLB in hitting against LHP.
Speaking of Willie Calhoun. He is absolutely one of my favorite Dodger minor leaguers. First profiled on TBLA in August 2015.
He reminds me a lot of Tony Gywnn. That is, TG build and TG smile. I am not suggesting he is TG, just that he reminds me of Tony who was my all-time favorite non-Dodger. Al Kaline was my second favorite non-Dodger.
Head coach Ryan Cougill at Yavapai was more than thrilled with Calhoun’s approach at the plate.
“His stats are impressive … the most impressive thing to me is his ability to not only recognize pitches in the strike zone but to separate pitches that are “attack” pitches and those that are “defensive” pitches,” Cougill said via email. “So many hitters work on developing the ability to recognize ball and strike but commit to strikes that they can’t attack.”
That would be a very unique skill.
Hey – that sounds like Tony Gywnn. Huh!