2015 Dodgers review: Alberto Callaspo

A look back at the 2015 season for Alberto Callaspo, who probably played a little more often than originally expected.

What went right

Callaspo's 10.1-percent walk rate ranked eighth among the 24 position players to bat at least once for the Dodgers in 2015.

The switch-hitter as a left-handed batter hit .267 with a .345 on-base percentage in 114 plate appearances from his stronger side. The Dodgers utilized Callaspo relatively well, with 82.6 percent of his plate appearances coming as a left-handed batter.

Batting mostly from the left side, Callaspo proved a natural and willing reserve partner at third base, spelling Justin Turner once or twice per week at the hot corner, and ended up starting 26 games at third base.

What went wrong

Despite getting on base at a reasonable amount he hit just .260.336/.301 in 60 games as a Dodger, with almost no power to speak of.

He was used judiciously at first, starting 16 times in his first 55 games with the team, just 29 percent of the time. At the time he was acquired, for Juan Uribe on May 27, Turner had taken over regular third base duties, with Alex Guerrero still a viable occasional option at the position, and a nearly-ready Hector Olivera looming.

But Guerrero lost favor, Olivera got hurt and was eventually traded, and when Turner was placed on the disabled list at the end of July that meant much more Callaspo, who started 10 of 15 games with Turner on the shelf.

Callaspo as a right-handed batter was 5-for-22 with a double and two walks, hitting .227/.292/.273.

2015 particulars

Age: 32

Stats: .260.336/.301, .290 wOBA in 60 games, 80 OPS+, 84 wRC+, -0.4 rWAR, 0.1 fWAR

Salary: $3 million, of which the Dodgers were responsible for about $2.15 million.

Game of the year

Callaspo was 2-for-3 with a walk in a July 22 win in Atlanta. He drove in the tying run in the fifth inning with an RBI single, then scored the go-ahead run later in the inning in a 3-1 Dodgers win.

Roster status

Callaspo did not end the year on the roster. He was designated for assignment on Aug. 19, then released on Aug. 27.