Freddie Freeman ranks as 7th-best prospect in AFL
Ben Badler from Baseball America lists the top-10 prospects in the talent-laden AFL, and our young first baseman ranks 7th. Nice to see him so highly thought of.
about 2 years ago
gondeee
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I really like the praise this kid is getting, but we still need a 1B that can help this team today. Freddie is the future no doubt
HansonManCrush
by HansonManCrush on Dec 2, 2009 9:32 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Agreed
My list of untouchables includes freeman, heyward, hanson, jurrjens, yunel, and schafer
HansonManCrush
by HansonManCrush on Dec 2, 2009 9:46 PM EST via mobile reply actions
i’d trade Schafer if it got us a stud outfielder.
"Are you tryin to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?"
by Scott Coleman on Dec 2, 2009 9:55 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Schafer is debatable imo
But you did forget McCann and Teheran
by SmithnCompany on Dec 2, 2009 10:33 PM EST up reply actions
Bethancourt too
not sure if any others would be “untouchable”. Maybe Robinson Lopez, Andy Otero, and Mike Minor, although Minor, David Hale, and the rest of the most recent draft picks technically can’t be dealt yet.
Bethancourt?
Bethancourt when we have McCann. Why would we not be willing to trade him? As much as I love most of these players and am excited to see them, I have the feeling that Heyward, McCann, and Hanson are the only sure things.
by McCann and McWill on Dec 3, 2009 10:01 AM EST up reply actions
Because age, potential, and the possibility...
that by the time he’s ready McCann may be less than himself as happens for those that play the destructive position of C. He’d be about as untouchable as Hanson, Freeman, Teheran, Escobar, and others in that we aren’t exactly unwilling to trade them, but they will come at such high price any move just isn’t gonna happen. You don’t let go of someone like Bethancourt, at his age, with his production at the levels he’s played, and his tools.
For the right price you let almost anyone go.
Which is why the Braves don’t give out no-trade clauses, which is a good idea, IMO. People keep throwing out lists of untouchables, but let’s face it, we’d trade almost any of them straight up for Adrian Gonzalez and would be fools not to do so. So, no, outside of maybe Heyward, Hanson, and McCann, I wouldn’t consider anyone untouchable. Chipper being a 10/5 guy can’t be traded without his approval, which he probably wouldn’t give, but that is totally separate from calling him untouchable.
Unrelated
Could ross play 1b? He’s got some pop… McCann is def untouchable too
HansonManCrush
by HansonManCrush on Dec 2, 2009 10:38 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Doubtful,
Plus he really does not project well in a full-time role.
Honestly I am torn on Freeman, he is still young. Lots of time to mature and live up to the hype
by UltimaParadox on Dec 3, 2009 12:22 AM EST up reply actions
Now where are all those who said they don't think he'll be that good?
Seems like when the rumor mill started to turn there were an awful lot of folks that were ready to dump him and another boatload of prospects to get this guy or that guy. He is a young stud that is projected to get better and better.
I think a lot of people got so caught up in how elite Heyward is (understandably) that they dismissed the fact that Freeman could end up being another HUGE piece of the Braves core for years to come.
Freeman would be the number one prospect on MOST teams not based in ATL.
no, people got so caught up in how elite and how much of a sure thing heyward is, and how heyward and freeman are always mentioned together, that people assumed freeman was elite as well, when in fact he has shown struggles and proven that he is not a sure thing, so maybe braves fans should be a little more rational before handing the 1B job to him for the next 10 years
"Im a fullonrapist, I do men, women, autistic kids, children, the elderly." -Charlie Kelly
“Now where are all those who said they don’t think he’ll be that good?”
you act like just because these stupid ass rankings came out people are going change their opinion…
freeman is one of the most overrated prospects in this system, so before everyone is highly dissapointed, we should start looking at him as the prospect he actually is instead of some god-like player thats gonna save the franchise.
"Im a fullonrapist, I do men, women, autistic kids, children, the elderly." -Charlie Kelly
Haha
man, what did Freeman ever do to you? I think in time Freeman will be a good player. Not amazing, but good.
And I really don’t think most Braves fans are treating him like some god-like player that’s gonna save the franchise…I was unaware our franchise needed saving in the first place…but why do you think that Freeman is “one of the most overrated prospects?”
"Sometimes I wonder what'd it be like to be outside and not hear the birds chirping...I think it'd be kind of nice."
by alligatorimpersonator on Dec 3, 2009 10:08 AM EST up reply actions
haha, no i have no problem whatsoever with freeman, i just think all this hype is stupid and pointless
my reasons…
a) he hasn’t hit outside of A ball, i understand he is young, but im going to be skeptical until I see he can learn to adjust
b) just strikes me as one of those guys whose lack of some athletic ability is overlooked because of his pure size and potential, and i think it will catch up with him when he faces advanced level pitching, which we have already seen signs of
and honeslty, it can’t be good for a prospect to be hearing he’s the “1B of the future” since the day he was drafted and barely 18, he’s not fucking jason heyward, so treat him like any other prospect and make him earn the right to be called the “1B of the future”
"Im a fullonrapist, I do men, women, autistic kids, children, the elderly." -Charlie Kelly
I think he earned the reputation of “1B of the future” after he put up a .900 OPS with Rome in ‘07. I agree, he hasn’t done much outside of A-ball, but the numbers he put up with Rome were something to be excited about.
It’s also possible he’s considered the Braves “1B of the future” cuz let’s face, as far as 1B goes, he’s really all we got
"Sometimes I wonder what'd it be like to be outside and not hear the birds chirping...I think it'd be kind of nice."
by alligatorimpersonator on Dec 3, 2009 11:16 AM EST up reply actions
Just cause you don't think he's earned it doesn't mean the club hasn't...
he’s obviously done something right for the club to hold him in such high regard.
and counters to
a) he hasn’t had much time above A ball to show you, certainly not when healthy
b) cause great baseball players MUST be top notch athletes like John Kruk, Mark Grace, David Wells, John Olerud, etc.
Just wondering, if it turns out you are wrong, will you be willing to eat the pile of crow you are cooking up? He’s not Heyward, no one is. But he’s not Cody Johnson or Scott Thorman either. The kid has earned his hype for a reason, and it’s strong production at a young age for his level. Have you even seen the guy play?
yes i will “eat the pile of crow” if he proves me…the reason i think the club holds him so high is becasue him and heyward were drafted 1 and 2, they played together and both raked their first year, and for the reason alligatorimpersonator said, because its all we’ve, there has been plenty of players that had great first years and we didnt hand them a job in the pros on a silver platter…crim had a hell of a year, so did RSF along with others but everyone says “we’ll see how they do next year” or “we’ll see how they adjust to advanced pitching” or whatever, why is it not like that with freeman? why are we handing him the fucking job out of A ball…its just illogical and fucking idiotic
"Im a fullonrapist, I do men, women, autistic kids, children, the elderly." -Charlie Kelly
I don't think it's "handing" the job...
as much as expecting him to take it.
And I guess I disagree for among other reasons—
It’s not like we’re unafraid to dump high draft picks if they turn out busts, so I disagree there—see recent 3B Campbell and Gilmore, among others.
Freeman had a solid first year (depending on if you mean first year, or first FULL season and take off the GCL totals at 17), great second, and decent third that tailed off after a jump to AA and wrist injury (and considering the timing, it’s almost impossible to say which had the greater impact).
For comparison’s sake, both Crim and RSF are both older than Freeman is TODAY, let alone when he was playing at their level 3 seasons ago and as always with minors, age and level means as much or more than raw stats, so I think that might explain the differing treatment.
And to be honest, I’m in a "we’ll see how they do next year" mode with Freeman personally anyway. I think because of that question between AA/wrist I mention above, next season will go a long way into showing just what Freeman is as a prospect.
i never said he wasn’t athletic…but hitting a fastball from a pitcher in A ball might require a little less athleticsm than hitting a fastball from lets say, a josh johnson, or any other MLB pitcher for that matter…
and in five years when he’s the next kasey kotchman i’d expect you “eat the pile of crow” as well
"Im a fullonrapist, I do men, women, autistic kids, children, the elderly." -Charlie Kelly
what frank wren should do is sign laroche, or someone else to a 4-5 year deal, sit freddie down and tell him the job is his when he earns the damn thing…not sign some shitty “stop gap” when we have a shot at a ring this year just because freddie has been deemed “the future 1B”
"Im a fullonrapist, I do men, women, autistic kids, children, the elderly." -Charlie Kelly
And, ...
cause I don’t remember that much cursing in your other posts. But this issue really seems to fire you up a lot man, or am I reading too much into that.
since when does...
“athleticism” = hand eye coordination, and quick hands? Maybe it’s just me, but when I think “athleticism”, I don’t think about hitting a baseball. That’s different to me. “Athleticism” is running, jumping, strength, and being good in a decathlon. A lot of great baseball players would suck in a decathlon, and a lot of great decathletes would suck hitting a baseball, so I guess that’s why I’ve never equated the two.
If he turns out crap, I’ll say so. Add that to my list of things to remember alongside cb’s, will Feliz or Andrus make an All Star game in the next 3 (or was it 5) years.
It was 3. 5 seems plausible.
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I like 3...
more of a bet that way. And I’m thinking Andrus rises and gets some quick hype with the rest of AL SSs getting older and worse.
See, I think the opposite. I don’t think Andrus’ offense will come close to his D until he’s at least 25, more than 3 years, and I think as the other elite SS’s get older they’ll get those nostalgia votes, like Ripken toward the end. I mean, you know Jeter is going every year until he retires, and he’ll be around at least 3 more years, so that means maybe one other SS gets to go. Pretty slim chance that Andrus is that other SS one of those 3 years.
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Really? Besides Jeter...
and unless Pedroia plays there for Boston, who else they got? It isn’t like when Jeter was in his prime, with ARod and Tejada and Visquel among others. I don’t think Bartlett can maintain that level, and who else ya got? Asdrual Cabrera? Alexi Ramirez?
You’re right, it’s not as thick as it used to be, but Elvis’ lack of pop is going to hurt him. There’s always going to be a one trick pony who pops up each year. And, if Pedroia moves to SS you can forget about it. I just feel good about the fact that Elvis probably won’t be an All Star in the next three seasons.
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That's fine....
cause I think, especially in Arlington, his numbers can be enough when added in his defense and lack of competition. And it’s not just Elvis but he and Neftali Feliz, so I got 6 seasons to get one All Star game. But hell, if it was a sure thing one way or the other, we probably wouldn’t have made the bet. I like a good gamble.
See, Feliz is the one who worries me, because pitchers are so iffy. But, I don’t think he’s going to be effective as a starter, and thus won’t be a starter, so he’d have to get in as a reliever, and likely as a closer, and I’m betting he just doesn’t have that kind of season in the next three.
Yeah, it’s a good bet.
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You're points are a bit nutty Hcgadawgs
1. Nobody has handed Freeman the job. If he earns it, he earns it. If he doesn’t, he doesn’t.
2. Your speculation that he is valued so highly because he and Heyward were drafted in the first and second rounds of the same draft is pretty much ridiculous conjecture. If he hadn’t hit, he wouldn’t have been moved up and wouldn’t be rated as such a high prospect. Cody Johnson was a first round pick, but he wasn’t promoted to AA when Freeman was, despite being older, because there were issues he needed to solve before being promoted. I think you are mistaking what could be silly posts from posters as being team policy, which is pretty ridiculous.
3. Signing someone to a 4-5 year deal to play first base when we could sign someone just as good to a 1-2 year deal is just stupid. Why lock ourselves up to a player when we can retain flexibility. Should we just keep Freeman down until he is a minor league free agent despite how well he plays in the minors just for spite so he can be a great cheap pick-up for someone else?
4. Of course he hasn’t hit above A-ball. He has had a whopping total of 141 injury-plagued plate appearances above A-ball. Of course, he is all of 20 years old; there aren’t that many guys his age who even make it to AA that young. Of course he still has something to prove. It is not like anyone is suggesting bringing him up next year. He is what he is—a top prospect. Practically by definition, prospects still have to prove something and still could end up being busts. That’s the nature of all prospects. He is just considered a top prospect because of how he has hit at such a young age.
ok, of course i know the team isn’t going to hand him the job if he’s struggling, i was directing most of this to the fact every time someone posts on here regarding our 1B situation, its always freddie freeman, i could understand that if he maybe had played a full year of AA or AAA, but he hasn’t, he’s still years away, not one person knows he’s going to suceed or not, i hope he does even though i have my doubts…it just bothers me how everyone is so close-minded with this situation…
and regarding the 4-5 year deal thing, i’ll admit thats an extreme, but i agree with the principle of it…right now, its no secret freddie is their long term solution, but i think the braves are counting on that too much…if he doesn’t work out then were in a shitty situation…so why not sign laroche or trade for someone and give freddie something to compete for instead of getting an old veteran to play stop gap for him and posssibly rush him…give him time, if he’s ready we can trade laroche and his salary and then give the job to freddie
and i know he hasn’t had much time above A ball, which is exactly why everyone here shouldn’t assume that he’s going to suceed..
"Im a fullonrapist, I do men, women, autistic kids, children, the elderly." -Charlie Kelly
freeman is one of the most overrated prospects in this system
You’ve just caused me to never take anything you say seriously again.
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you must be one of those dumb fans who have so obviously been duped by “stupid ass rankings” and all the “stupid and pointless” “hype” of “the next kasey kotchman”, which is “just illogical and fucking idiotic”.
how is that illogical…kotchman put up better minor league numbers than freddie to this point in his career
"Im a fullonrapist, I do men, women, autistic kids, children, the elderly." -Charlie Kelly
No, he didn't....
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=kotchm001cas
At the same age, Kotchman had half a season of A ball and 11 rookie league games. And his half season in A ball was about as good as Freeman’s first half this year.
i got outta control on that one, i know he’s not the most overrated in our system, though i believe he is overrated to the point in which i think he’ll be an average 1B, much like kotch…most others on here seem to believe he’s a future allstar…
lets just say while freeman is #2 on most everybodys prospect list…i’d have him #7 on mine..
idk why the fact that i have a differing opinion on this matter than most everyone else offends yall so much
"Im a fullonrapist, I do men, women, autistic kids, children, the elderly." -Charlie Kelly
It doesn't offend us...
it seems others having him 2 offends you though (I had him 3 although I’ve never seen any of them play).
And if I had to guess between you and cb, I think I can figure who’s seen him play more games.
and that makes one opinion more valid than another?
"Im a fullonrapist, I do men, women, autistic kids, children, the elderly." -Charlie Kelly
Yes,...
in my opinion it does. We all see the stats, so actually laying eyes on a player, especially one at such a young age like Freeman, is an advantage.
Not to pile on
but after reading through all this, and the above opinion in particular, I have no idea how anyone can be so certain of a player without having ever seen him play.
He last played at age 19. That leaves a lot of room for advancement and maturity, both physical and mental. I was fortunate enough to play in college, and my age 19 season is basically non-existent compared to Jr./Sr. seasons.
If you haven’t seen a guy’s swing, his approach, his demeanor on the field, etc., it’s impossible to fully determine how successful his career will be, regardless of what the stats tell you.
If you have him seventh on your list, that is a bit out there.
Even if you aren’t sold on him, who, other than Heyward, who is the obvious #1, would be higher? I can’t see anyone who would meet your criteria.
actually got him #6
1. Jason Heyward
2. Julio Teheran
3. Craig Kimbrel
4. Christian Bethancourt
5. Mike Minor
6. Freddie Freeman
"Im a fullonrapist, I do men, women, autistic kids, children, the elderly." -Charlie Kelly
That makes no sense.
You say that your problem with Freeman is that he hasn’t shown anything at AA or above and yet you rank Teheran, Bethancourt, and Minor—-one guy who is a year and four months younger and whose highest level was 40 IP that were pretty average at low A, one guy who his two years younger and hasn’t gotten out of rookie league ball, and one guy who has pitched a total of 14 innings in low-A ball. How are you not “hyping” these guys before they have done anything in the high minors? Are you not just knocking Freeman down because of hype and not anything Freeman has or hasn’t done?
i said they were better prospects IMO, nowhere did i say that any of them will make it to the bigs or be stars, like everyone else is saying about freeman…
its ok if you have freeman #2, but dont claim he’s our first baseman of the future…
"Im a fullonrapist, I do men, women, autistic kids, children, the elderly." -Charlie Kelly
i think you guys are just misunderstanding my argument…im not knocking freddie, i have my doubts on him and i think we have a few better prospects than him…if you view more highly of him thats fine…my only argument was that there is no reason whatsoever to put so much stock in him so early and say he’s gonna be an everyday player in atlanta in a year or so….give him more time and dont rush your judgement on him…thats all im saying.
"Im a fullonrapist, I do men, women, autistic kids, children, the elderly." -Charlie Kelly
In that case, I guess you don't think we have much...
…in the way of prospects that will be every day players. If you think Freeman won’t be because he hasn’t done anything in the high minors, then you must think the person you have listed as your number two prospect is not likely to be a major league regular either since he hasn’t even done anything in high A ball. Leaving just one guy (at least we can all agree on him) who you would think will be a major league regular.
Came across the complete top 10 list
1. Stephen Strasburg – RHP – Nationals
2. Buster Posey- C – Giants
3. Dominic Brown – RF – Phillies
4. Dustin Ackley – OF – Mariners
5. Josh Bell – 3B -Orioles
6. Jenrry Mejia – RHP – Mets
7. Freddie Freeman – 1B – Braves
8. Yonder Alonso – 1B – Reds
9. Starlin Castro – SS – Cubs
10. Ike Davis – 1B – Mets
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