The Braves rarely give an opening day slot in the starting lineup to a rookie without them winning it in Spring Training first. This is exactly what they are doing with rookie Freddie Freeman, who only has 24 major league at bats.
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Freeman and Braves rookie phenom Jason Heyward made their journey through the minors together and were roommates. Heyward received the call last year as we all know and began his rookie campaign with a very loud bang, finishing with a line of .277 / 18 home runs / 72 RBIs while missing almost 40 games due to a thumb injury.
Now it’s Freddie’s turn. Unlike Heyward, Freeman will enter his rookie season with a few at bats under his belt along with one very exciting one that involved him hitting a monster shot off of the National League’s Cy Young Award recipient.
I had to opportunity to ask MLBTradeRumors.com writer Ben Nicholson-Smith if he thought Freeman would match or exceed Heyward’s rookie numbers.
“I doubt that – but it sounds like [Freeman] can be a capable first baseman,” says Nicholson-Smith. “I’m thinking a Gaby Sanchez-like season is in order.”
Gaby Sanchez, rookie first baseman for the Marlins in 2010, hit .273 with 19 home runs and 85 RBIs. While these numbers aren’t outstanding by any means, they are solid.
Freeman, 21, is still young and has a lot to learn. He will probably have his struggles during 2011, just as any young player should. Will he prove to be as consistent as Heyward was? I think he will be more than a capable first baseman for the Atlanta Braves, with potential to have a rookie of the year season.
