Freddie Freeman: From High School Standout to World Series Champion
Freddie Freeman, a name synonymous with excellence in Major League Baseball (MLB), has carved out a remarkable career marked by consistent performance, leadership, and resilience. From his early days as a promising high school player to his current status as a World Series champion and perennial All-Star, Freeman's journey is a testament to his unwavering dedication to the game and his exceptional talent.
Early Life and High School Career
Frederick Charles Freeman was born on September 12, 1989, in Fountain Valley, California, to Fredrick and Rosemary Freeman, who were both Canadian natives. This gave Freeman dual citizenship in both the United States and Canada. Growing up in Southern California, Freeman developed a passion for baseball at a young age, idolizing the Los Angeles Angels.
Freeman's skills were evident early on. At age six, he practiced baseball with older Little League players from Orange, California. By age seven, he was placed on a team of nine-year-olds, and at nine, he was assigned to play with 12-year-olds, showcasing his advanced abilities.
He attended El Modena High School in Orange, California, where he starred as a third baseman and pitcher. As a senior in 2007, Freeman showcased his versatility and talent by hitting a remarkable .417 batting average while also maintaining a 6-1 win-loss record as a pitcher. His outstanding performance earned him the prestigious title of Orange County Register's 2007 player of the year.
Despite his commitment to play college baseball at Cal State Fullerton, Freeman's exceptional talent caught the attention of Major League scouts.
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Draft and Minor League Years
The Atlanta Braves selected Freeman in the second round, with the 78th overall selection, of the 2007 MLB draft. Because he was still 17 years old, his father had to sign the contract, which gave Freeman a bonus of $409,500.
Freeman's transition to professional baseball began in the Braves' minor league system. He quickly proved himself as a rising star. His first stop was with the Gulf Coast League Braves, where he adjusted to the rigors of professional baseball. In 2008, he played for the Class-A Rome Braves, demonstrating his potential with a .316 batting average, 18 home runs, and 95 RBIs. His rapid ascent continued in 2009 with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (High-A) and later the Mississippi Braves (Double-A). Though he faced challenges adjusting to higher levels of competition, Freeman's work ethic and natural hitting ability kept him on track.
MLB Debut and Early Career with the Atlanta Braves (2010-2012)
Freeman was called up to the Braves on September 1, 2010, as part of the team's September call-ups, and made his MLB debut that same day. On September 5, 2010, he got his first career MLB hit off Florida Marlins pitcher Clay Hensley, and on September 21, 2010, he hit his first MLB home run off Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay. He played 20 games with the Braves and batted .167.
Freeman began the 2011 season as the starting first baseman for the Braves. After a slow start, his performance improved and he had been mentioned as a strong candidate for Rookie of the Year. On July 4, 2011, Freeman hit two home runs against the Colorado Rockies, for his first multi-home run game. Freeman was the first Braves rookie to reach 50 RBIs by July 18 since Hank Aaron accomplished this feat in 1954. He was named NL rookie of the month for July; during that month, Freeman led all Major League rookies with 38 hits, a .362 batting average, and a.433 on-base percentage in 27 games. He also led all NL rookies with six homers and 17 runs.
Freddie Freeman delivered his first career walk-off home run on September 25, 2012-a two-run blast off Mike Dunn in the ninth inning-to lift the Braves to a 4-3 victory over Miami.
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Rise to Stardom and Contract Extension (2013-2014)
In 2013, Freeman was selected as a finalist for the 2013 Major League Baseball All-Star Game Final Vote, where he won with a record-setting total of 19.7 million fan votes, but was unable to play because of a thumb injury suffered three days before the game. Freeman finished the 2013 season with a .319 batting average, along with 23 homers and 109 RBI in 147 games played.
On February 4, 2014, Freeman agreed to an eight-year, $135 million extension. Freeman was named an All-Star for the second time in 2014, and played the last three innings of the game. He led the team in batting average and on-base plus slugging percentage in 2014. Freddie Freeman played all 162 regular-season games in 2014, joining Alcides Escobar (KC), Evan Longoria (TB), and Hunter Pence (SF) in achieving the feat. That year, he set a Braves franchise record and led the Majors with a career-high 1,449 innings played. Freeman also collected a career-best 43 doubles, the most among National League first basemen, ranking fifth overall in the Majors and second in the NL.
Leadership During Rebuilding Years (2015-2017)
General manager John Coppolella became responsible for the team's transactions in the 2014-15 off-season, and played a large role in the Braves' rebuild, trading away many players. However, during the 2015-16 off-season, Coppolella repeatedly stated he would not trade Freeman. At the beginning of the 2016 season, Freeman was expected to lead the team on the field, despite the wrist injury the previous year adversely affecting his off-season preparations.
Freeman had a difficult start to the season but began hitting well in June. On June 15, Freeman hit his first career cycle in a 9-8 victory against the Cincinnati Reds. He was named National League Player of the Week soon after that performance. Freeman recorded his first 30-home run season in 2016, reaching that mark on September 13, shortly after claiming his second Player of the Week award of the season. That same day he also drove in the 500th run of his career. On September 29, Freeman's 30-game hitting streak, which had begun on August 24, was halted with an 0-4 night against the Philadelphia Phillies. On May 17, Freeman was hit by a pitch from Aaron Loup of Toronto, resulting in him leaving the game.
Playoff Appearances and Individual Accolades (2018-2019)
At midseason, Freeman was selected as the National League starter at first base in the 2019 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. In 2019 Freeman batted .295/.389/.549 with 38 home runs and 121 RBIs and led all NL hitters in line drive percentage (27.5%). Freeman and teammates Ronald Acuña Jr. On October 18, it was revealed he had undergone right elbow surgery to remove a bone spur. Freeman admitted the spur had bothered him in recent years.
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MVP Season and World Series Run (2020-2021)
Freeman tested positive for COVID-19 in July 2020, before the season began. He was one of the few symptomatic MLB patients, experiencing a loss of smell and a high fever. He recovered in time to participate in some training camp activities, held before the shortened season's Opening Day. Freeman hit his first career grand slam on September 4, in the second game of a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals off pitcher Tanner Rainey. Two days later, he hit another grand slam, against Nationals pitcher Kyle Finnegan. On September 9, he reached 1,500 career hits with a home run. Freeman finished the shortened 60-game regular season hitting .341 with 13 home runs and 53 RBIs. He led the major leagues with 23 doubles and 51 runs scored.
Freeman was named the National League's starting first baseman for the 2021 All-Star Game. On August 18, he hit for the cycle against the Marlins. This was the fourth time an Atlanta Braves player had done it, the second time for Freeman, and only the ninth time in Braves' history. His second career cycle improved his batting average to .301. Freeman finished the season with a .300 batting average, a .896 OPS, and 31 home runs. The 2021 Braves became the second team in MLB history for which each starting infielder hit at least 25 home runs. On October 12, Freeman hit what would turn out to be the game-winning solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning in a tied National League Division Series game four against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Braves faced the Houston Astros in the World Series.
The last year of Freeman's contract with the Braves was 2021, and he was widely expected to remain with the Braves. Freeman stated a desire to remain with the Braves for his whole career. Freeman and the Braves had exchanged offers for a new contract during the 2021 season, including a five-year, $125 million offer the Braves made before the trade deadline. Freeman declined the Braves' qualifying offer following the season and became a free agent for the first time in his career. During the offseason, the Braves reportedly increased their offer to five years and $140 million, but Freeman and his agent insisted on a sixth year. Freeman's agent gave the Braves an ultimatum, offering them two proposals and giving them one hour to accept one of them. The Braves declined both and pulled their offer off the table.
Joining the Los Angeles Dodgers (2022-Present)
Freeman made his Dodgers debut on April 8, 2022, batting second in the lineup and going 1-3 with a walk against the Colorado Rockies. On April 18, before a game between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium, Freeman was presented his 2021 Silver Slugger Award, with Braves manager Brian Snitker and hitting coach Kevin Seitzer attending the ceremony.
On May 18, 2023, Freeman hit his 300th career home run, a grand slam off of Génesis Cabrera of the St. Louis Cardinals. About a month later, Freeman earned his 2,000th career hit, becoming the 295th MLB player to do so. At midseason, Freeman was named starting first baseman for the National League in the All-Star Game, his third consecutive selection. On September 8, Freeman hit his 53rd double of the season breaking the Dodgers franchise record held by Johnny Frederick with the 1929 Brooklyn Robins. On September 22 against the San Francisco Giants, he picked up his 200th hit of the season, the first Dodger to do so since Adrián Beltré in 2004. He became the only first baseman in history to have 20 home runs, 20 steals, and 200 hits in the same season. In 161 games, Freeman finished with a .331 batting average, 211 hits, 29 home runs, 102 RBI, 102 runs scored, and an MLB-leading 59 doubles.
On May 20, 2024, during a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Freeman hit his sixth career grand slam against pitcher Slade Cecconi. Freeman hit another grand slam on July 19 against Boston Red Sox pitcher Brennan Bernardino. He played in his fourth consecutive All-Star Game. However, his three-year-old son came down with a viral infection during the event and was later paralyzed, hospitalized, and put on a ventilator. In Game 1 of the World Series, while still feeling the effects of the ankle injury, Freeman hit a walk-off grand slam-the first in a World Series game-off Nestor Cortés of the New York Yankees. He then hit homers in Games 2, 3, and 4 of the Series, becoming the first player to homer in the first four games of a World Series.
Freeman was initially in the lineup for the Tokyo Series to start the 2025 season but was scratched from Game 1 due to left rib discomfort. He hit his 350th career home run off pitcher Sandy Alcántara on May 5. On May 12, Freeman was named the NL Player of the Week for May 5-May 11 after going 12-for-24 with three home runs, 12 RBI, and seven extra base hits. Fans selected him to start the All-Star Game, his fifth start. On June 28, Freeman recorded his 4,000th career total base on a home run against the Kansas City Royals in the seventh inning.
International Career
Freeman, who holds Canadian citizenship through his parents, changed his representation to Canada for the 2017 World Baseball Classic (WBC), something he had always wanted to do. In the tournament, Freeman hit .182/.182/.182 with two hits and three strikeouts. In the 2023 WBC, Freeman again played for Canada.
Playing Style and Personal Life
Freeman's powerful swing, in which he moves his shoulders slightly before lowering his hands, has been described as "unorthodox" and compared to a tennis forehand.
Freeman married Chelsea Goff in 2014. During a 2014 winter storm, Freeman was stuck in a traffic jam that was not moving. Freeman stayed stuck for hours until former teammate Chipper Jones arrived on his ATV and rescued Freeman. In January 2016, the Atlanta Braves announced a "Chipper Rescues Freddie" bobblehead night for the following season.
Hall of Fame Potential
Freddie Freeman's career has been nothing short of exceptional, marked by consistent offensive production, leadership, and a World Series title. As he continues to add to his impressive resume with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the question of his Hall of Fame candidacy becomes increasingly relevant.
Freeman's career statistics (.300 BA, 343 HR, 1,232 RBI, 2,267 hits) are strong but less than we usually see for a Hall of Fame first sacker. Only two (Rod Carew and Hank Greenberg) have fewer than Freeman’s 343 career home runs. Carew, of course, had other attributes (a .328 career BA with seven batting titles and 18 All-Star nods). Freeman has 1,232 career RBI. 11 of the 17 logged more than Freeman’s 2,267 hits. Six players had less (Willie Stargell, Willie McCovey, Harmon Killebrew, Johnny Mize, Gil Hodges, and Greenberg). Stargell, McCovey, Killebrew, and Mize were prolific sluggers (Mize also lost three years due to WWII). Freeman’s career batting average (.300) is a point in favor. Freeman has a career 60.7 WAR.
So, by those numbers, Freeman is already a borderline pick but certainly not an obvious one, although the World Series MVP certainly helps.
Freddie Freeman is one of five first basemen who debuted in the 21st century and have already established enough career value to be considered Hall of Fame candidates. Two of them (Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera) are obvious choices. The others (Paul Goldschmidt and Joey Votto) are in the same ballpark as Freeman. All three men have won the N.L. MVP, but Freeman also has something that Votto and Goldschmidt don’t: two World Series rings and the signature grand slam in Game 1 last Friday.
Of course, Freddie Freeman’s career is not over yet. Still, in today’s big-money game, the end of a player’s career is often determined when their contract expires. Freeman has three years left on his; he’ll be 38 years old when his contract with the Dodgers ends.
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