| Tyler Freeman | |
| Team: | Cleveland Guardians |
| Number: | 2 |
| Position: | Center fielder |
| Birth Date: | 21 May 1999 |
| Birth Place: | Rancho Cucamonga, California, U.S. |
| Bats: | Right |
| Throws: | Right |
| Debutleague: | MLB |
| Debutdate: | August 3 |
| Debutyear: | 2022 |
| Debutteam: | Cleveland Guardians |
| Statleague: | MLB |
| Statyear: | August 21, 2024 |
| Stat1label: | Batting average |
| Stat1value: | .225 |
| Stat2label: | Home runs |
| Stat2value: | 11 |
| Stat3label: | Runs batted in |
| Stat3value: | 53 |
| Teams: |
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Tyler Andrew Freeman (born May 21, 1999) is an American professional baseball center fielder for the Cleveland Guardians of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Freeman attended Etiwanda High School in Etiwanda, California.[1] As a senior in 2017, he hit .526 with four home runs, 36 runs batted in, and 18 stolen bases.[2]
Freeman was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the second round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft.[3] He signed with the Indians, forgoing his commitment to play college baseball at Texas Christian University.[4] [5]
Freeman made his professional debut with the Arizona League Indians, batting .297 in 36 games. He played the 2018 season with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, slashing .352/.405/.511 with two home runs, 38 runs batted in, and 14 stolen bases in 72 games,[6] earning New York-Penn League All-Star honors.[7] He started 2019 with the Lake County Captains,[8] [9] [10] with whom he was named a Midwest League All-Star,[11] before being promoted to the Lynchburg Hillcats in June.[12] Over 123 games between both teams, Freeman batted .306/.368/.410 with three home runs, 44 runs batted in, and 19 stolen bases.
Freeman did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[13] In 2021, Freeman hit .323/.372/.470 in 41 games for the Double-A Akron RubberDucks. On August 9, 2021, Freeman underwent season-ending surgery on his left shoulder.[14] The newly named Cleveland Guardians selected Freeman to their 40-man roster on November 19, 2021.[15] He was assigned to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers to begin the 2022 season.
The Guardians recalled Freeman from the minor leagues on August 3, 2022.[16] He made his major league debut that same day, starting at third base. In his debut, Freeman collected his first career hit, a single off of Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Kevin Ginkel.[17] Appearing in 24 games in his rookie campaign, Freeman hit .247/.314/.286 with no home runs and 3 RBI.
Freeman was optioned to Triple-A Columbus to begin the 2023 season.[18] Freeman was recalled to the major leagues on May 6, 2023, replacing the struggling Oscar González. Freeman did not make an appearance until May 10, when he started at second base and went 2-for-4 with two singles in a loss to the Detroit Tigers.