Tyler Freeman (baseball) explained

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:

Tyler Andrew Freeman (born May 21, 1999) is an American professional baseball center fielder for the Cleveland Guardians of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Amateur career

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]

Professional career

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.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Marshall . Pete . Tyler Freeman among locals awaiting MLB draft – San Bernardino Sun . Sbsun.com . 2017-06-11 . 2021-01-07.
  2. Web site: Gardner . Michelle . Etiwanda grad Tyler Freeman signed with Cleveland Indians – Daily Bulletin . Dailybulletin.com . 2017-06-29 . 2021-01-07.
  3. Web site: Tribe signs high school shortstop Tyler Freeman for $816,500. June 29, 2017. cleveland.
  4. Web site: Bastian . Jordan . Indians sign 2017 Draft pick Tyler Freeman . mlb.com . 2017-06-28 . 2021-01-07.
  5. Web site: TCU 2017 Signing Class Hit Hard by MLB Draft . 247sports.com . 2021-01-07.
  6. Web site: Karalis . John . Freeman Destroys New York-Penn League on Way to Bigger Things . The Sports Daily . 2018-11-26 . 2021-01-07.
  7. Web site: Tripodi . Chris . Travis Swaggerty, Tyler Freeman headline New York-Penn League All-Stars . MiLB.com . 2018-08-07 . 2021-01-07.
  8. Web site: Forde . Craig . Indians' Tyler Freeman feeling fine for Mahoning Valley . MiLB.com . 2018-07-24 . 2021-01-07.
  9. Web site: Dykstra . Sam . Toolshed: Cleveland Indians' Tyler Freeman emerging . MiLB.com . 2019-05-15 . 2021-01-07.
  10. Web site: Glasier . David S. . Tyler Freeman, Jose Fermin aim to be dynamic infield duo for Captains | Sports . news-herald.com . 2019-04-03 . 2021-01-07.
  11. Web site: Captains' trio feature in Midwest League All-Star game | Sports . news-herald.com . 2019-06-18 . 2021-01-07.
  12. Web site: Captains shortstop Tyler Freeman earns promotion | Sports . news-herald.com . 2019-06-19 . 2021-01-07.
  13. Web site: 2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled. mlb.com.
  14. Web site: Cleveland Prospect Tyler Freeman Undergoes Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery. 10 August 2021 .
  15. News: Guardians Announce Series Of 40-man Roster Moves . CleGuardians.com . November 19, 2021.
  16. News: Adams . Steve . Guardians Promote Tyler Freeman . MLB Trade Rumors . August 3, 2022.
  17. Web site: WATCH: Tyler Freeman Gets First Major League Hit In Guardians Debut. 2023-05-27. si.com. 3 August 2022 . en.
  18. Web site: Guardians' Tyler Freeman: Optioned to Triple-A. 2023-03-24. cbssports.com. en.