Tyler Freeman (baseball)

Tyler Freeman
Freeman in 2023
Cleveland Guardians – No. 2
Center fielder
Born: (1999-05-21) May 21, 1999 (age 25)
Rancho Cucamonga, California, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 3, 2022, for the Cleveland Guardians
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Batting average.223
Home runs11
Runs batted in53
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

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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

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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]

Freeman with the Columbus Clippers in 2022

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.

References

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