Freddie Freeman

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #2 prospect in 2011
  The 78th overall pick in the 2007 draft, Freeman has been among the youngest players in every league he has played. He was the second-youngest starter in the Triple-A International League in 2010, when he was tabbed the circuit's rookie of the year. He led the IL in hits (147) and total bases (240), and managers rated him the loop's best defensive first baseman. Freeman has a smooth, aggressive swing from the left side. He possesses raw power that should generate 20-plus homers annually in the major leagues. He has good plate coverage with a patient approach that leads to consistent contact. He thrives in RBI situations and wants the bat in his hand with the game on the line. Defensively, Freeman has quick feet and above-average range at first base. He does all the little things well around the bag and he even has a cannon for an arm. Though not a blazer, he runs well for his size and shows outstanding instincts on the basepaths. Though his success was limited during his September callup, Freeman swatted his first big league homer against Roy Halladay. He may have an up-and-down 2011 season at the plate, but that roller-coaster ride should come as Atlanta's starting first baseman at age 21.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #2 prospect in 2010
  The youngest player to sign out of the 2007 draft, Freeman continues to be Robin to Jason Heyward's Batman. He reached Double-A at age 19 last summer and hit .319/.354/.493 in his first month there before lingering soreness in his left wrist hampered his production. He missed the last two weeks, but didn't need surgery and headed to the Arizona Fall League. Freeman has been an RBI machine at every level, thriving with runners in scoring position. He drives the ball with consistency with a sweet, fluid swing, and scouts believe his doubles will become homers as he gains experience and strength. Comparisons to Keith Hernandez and Mark Grace with more power have become commonplace because of his defense, which managers rated the best among first basemen in both the Carolina and Southern leagues last season. Freeman runs well enough for a big man but never will be noted for his speed. His attacking approach at the plate doesn't lend itself to walks, but Atlanta gladly will sacrifice some on-base percentage for RBIs. The Braves will seek a stopgap solution at first base for 2010, with an eye on turning the position over to Freeman the next season. With him and Heyward, the Braves should be set at the right-side corners for the foreseeable future.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #5 prospect in 2009
  Many scouts preferred Freeman as a power pitching prospect, but he wanted to swing the bat and the Braves were glad to oblige when they drafted him in the second round in 2007. The youngest player to sign out of the 2007 draft, he was named Braves minor league player of the year in 2008 after ranking second in the South Atlantic League in slugging (.521) and fourth in RBIs (95). Freeman is an RBI machine who relishes the opportunity to hit with runners on base. He's an aggressive hitter with a swing-first approach, yet he has good pitch recognition and doesn't chase pitches out of the zone. He drives the ball with authority with his sweet, smooth swing and should be able to produce significant home run totals at higher levels. His defense is well-above-average at first base, with some scouts comparing Freeman to Mark Grace but with more power. Freeman's approach doesn't lend itself to drawing a lot of walks. He has below-average speed, though he's by no means a baseclogger. The Braves could have moved Freeman to high Class A last season with relative ease, but they wanted to make certain he had a solid foundation of success as an 18-year-old. He'll move up to Myrtle Beach in 2009, and the Braves won't hold him back if he continues to produce.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #19 prospect in 2008
  The Braves' willingness to let him hit, along with a signing bonus of $409,500, contributed to Freeman's decision to bypass Cal State Fullerton and sign with Atlanta as the 78th overall pick in the 2007 draft. A former member of USA Baseball's youth and junior national teams, Freeman attracted strong interest from many teams for his abilities on the mound. He showed two plus pitches--a heavy, low-90s fastball and a hard slider--while working as a closer in high school, but Freeman always has preferred mashing the ball as opposed to throwing it. Only 17 when drafted, he has an ideal hitter's frame that projects extremely well. He has above-average power with a smooth stroke from the left side that produces hits that sound different coming off the bat. He shows a good feel for the strike zone and his hands work very well, helping to give him above-average raw power. Though not the fleetest afoot, Freeman handles first base well, displaying good footwork and excellent reactions. He also has an exceedingly strong arm for the position. His performance in spring training will determine whether he opens 2008 in low Class A or in extended spring training.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked International League #5 prospect in 2010
  The second-youngest regular in the league, Freeman batted just .170 in his first 13 games. But he figured things out quickly, leading the league in hits (147) and total bases (240) and winning the IL's rookie of the year award. Freeman generates excellent raw power with his bat speed and the leverage in his swing. He makes consistent contact and has good plate coverage. He moves well for his size and is a quality defender at first base, where he shows soft hands and above-average range. "He struggled early, like any 20-year-old would," Gwinnett manager Dave Brundage said. "But he continues to impress us with his offensive production. He has really made some good offensive adjustments. He has a great understanding of the game."
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  Ranked Southern League #8 prospect in 2009
  Those who saw Freeman in the high Class A Carolina League seemed more impressed than SL observers, but a left wrist injury hampered his production at Mississippi in the second half. His wrist had no structural damage, but inflammation and tendinitis ultimately led the Braves to shut him down in late August. Freeman has a good approach at the plate for a 19-year-old, though his OBP was aided significantly by his 18 hit by pitches. He doesn't chase much out of the strike zone, uses the whole field and covers the plate well. He hit just two home runs in 41 games for Mississippi but shows plus raw power in batting practice. "The swing is different from Heyward's," Wellman said. "They're built differently, but the thing they share is the approach at the plate, a good idea of the strike zone." A good defender, Freeman has soft hands and has become adept at picking throws in the dirt. Also a pitching prospect in high school, he has a better arm than most first basemen. He's a below-average runner.
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  Ranked Carolina League #4 prospect in 2009
  Advancing through the Braves' system alongside Heyward, Freeman also shows a solid approach and consistently puts together good at-bats. He has an advanced feel for hitting, showing a short stroke for a player his size, good plate coverage, the ability to hit to all fields and a sound two-strike approach. Freeman can launch balls out of the park with routine in batting practice, but he has more of a gap-to-gap approach and is still learning how to translate his power into game situations. After hitting four home runs in April, he hit just four the rest of the season. He played through a wrist injury in the second half, which hampered him after his promotion to Double-A Mississippi in late June. Freeman has made significant defensive progress since signing out of high school two years ago. His speed his below average, but he's a slick fielder with good hands. "Freeman obviously can hit," Salem manager Chad Epperson said, "but he doesn't get enough credit for his glove as well. He's a tremendous first baseman."
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  Ranked South Atlantic League #10 prospect in 2008
  Freeman was the youngest player drafted in 2007 and played his first full pro season at 18. His disciplined approach at the plate far exceeded his age and enabled him to finish second in the league in slugging percentage (.521) and fourth in batting (.316), hits (155), extra-base hits (58) and RBIs (95). Freeman also starred defensively. He has quick feet and reactions around the bag, and Ingle said Freeman saved countless runs with his glovework. He also throws well for a first baseman--his fastball was clocked in the low 90s when he pitched in high school--and speed is his lone below-average tool. "Freddie lives to drive in runs," Ingle said. "Every time he goes up to the plate, he's looking to hit. He never looks to walk. He wants to do some damage. His pitch recognition and plate discipline are off the charts, and his production is so good because of his approach."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #17 prospect in 2011
• Ranked Baseball America's #32 prospect in 2010
• Ranked Baseball America's #87 prospect in 2009

• December, 2008 Scouting Report
  Many scouts preferred Freeman as a power pitching prospect, but he wanted to swing the bat and the Braves were glad to oblige when they drafted him in the second round in 2007. The youngest player to sign out of the 2007 draft, he was named Braves minor league player of the year in 2008 after ranking second in the South Atlantic League in slugging (.521) and fourth in RBIs (95). Freeman is an RBI machine who relishes the opportunity to hit with runners on base. He's an aggressive hitter with a swing-first approach, yet he has good pitch recognition and doesn't chase pitches out of the zone. He drives the ball with authority with his sweet, smooth swing and should be able to produce significant home run totals at higher levels. His defense is well-above-average at first base, with some scouts comparing Freeman to Mark Grace but with more power. Freeman's approach doesn't lend itself to drawing a lot of walks. He has below-average speed, though he's by no means a baseclogger. The Braves could have moved Freeman to high Class A last season with relative ease, but they wanted to make certain he had a solid foundation of success as an 18-year-old. He'll move up to Myrtle Beach in 2009, and the Braves won't hold him back if he continues to produce.