David Freese is best known for one small stretch of baseball – the 2011 World Series – in which his .348/.464/.696 slash in 28 plate appearances helped lead the Cardinals to a title and earn him World Series MVP honors. However, as great as Freese was during the Cardinals’ triumph over the Rangers seven years ago, he’s no one-hit wonder. Freese has been a solid major leaguer since his career began in 2009, evidenced by his .276/.351/.422 line (115 wRC+) with 110 home runs and 19.9 fWAR with the Cards, Angels, Pirates and Dodgers. Now 36 years old, Freese isn’t showing any serious signs of slowing down.
With the Pirates out of contention at the end of last August and facing Freese’s impending trip to free agency, they traded him to the Dodgers. Los Angeles was enamored enough of Freese, who thrived with the club over a small sample last season, that it re-signed him to a one-year, $4.5MM guarantee almost immediately after its World Series loss to Boston. Seven months later, it’s looking like a fantastic decision on the Dodgers’ part.
A third baseman for most of his career, Freese has essentially been a first base-only option for the Dodgers this year. From an offensive standpoint, first is one of the most demanding positions in the game, and Freese has handled it with aplomb. The right-handed hitter has batted an eyebrow-raising .308/.419/.635 with eight home runs and a .327 ISO through 124 plate appearances, pulverizing both same- and left-handed pitchers along the way. Of hitters who have come to the plate at least 120 times this year, Freese’s 177 wRC+ ranks fifth.
Is Freese this good? Considering what he has done over the life of his career, no. However, the veteran has made real strides in his advanced age. His 16.1 percent walk rate is nearly twice his lifetime figure, while his strikeout percentage (21.8) is down a bit relative to his career. At the same time, Freese is making far more hard contact and less soft contact than usual, according to FanGraphs, and putting the ball more in the air and less on the ground than he has in any other season. His 10.2-degree launch angle is far above his usual norm, per Statcast. All of that’s a recipe for added power. Interestingly, Freese is hitting to the opposite field more, though it certainly hasn’t led to a decrease in meaningful contact.
Freese’s .348 batting average on balls in play indicates good fortune has been on his side, especially for a slow runner, but it’s not a bloated figure in his case. He has posted a .343 lifetime BABIP, after all. On the other hand, Freese’s .442 weighted on-base average – which sits third in the majors – definitely isn’t going to hold. However, his .395 expected wOBA sits 17th and isn’t indicative of a player who’s at high risk of seeing his production crash to Earth.
Freese may no longer be an everyday player, but unlike most major leaguers in their late 30s, he remains a valuable contributor. Not only could Freese help the title-contending Dodgers to a World Series in 2019, but it appears he’ll encounter a fair amount of interest in free agency in the offseason. That’s if the Dodgers don’t re-sign him first, of course.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
And a good guy in the clubhouse.
Play him more!
Sounds like a tremendous idea for a 36 who’s already been banged up this season. Should keep him fresh and healthy for the postseason.
Really good decision on the Dodgers part to re-sign him so quickly last year. Since then, they’ve played him in short bursts, kept him healthy and reaped the rewards.
Also a great interview! Candid and real. Good for him!
He’s taken Utley’s spot as the elder statesmen on the team and it serves him well. I see him playing a few more years in LA.
LAD Manager, Dave Roberts, knows when to play hot position players and when to sit cold ones.
2011 WS, oh yeah, great times were had by all. Will sit down now with a coffee and watch again. Don’t you just love baseball.
After their 30’s alot of players age like a banana milkshake but Freese is a fine wine.
Why are we writing articles about a guy who plays part t,e with 8 home runs? I guess the same as the article about the Yankees pitching woes. Gotta write about both coast big markets. This site has become a JOKE.
I’m going to beg to differ. I’m enjoying the little
vignettes about different players, regardless of what team or where they play. As a fan of one of those big market teams, I don’t come here for news on my local team, because there are so many other places to read about them.
There’s only so many posts you can read about someone clearing waivers before you need a change of pace. Heaven forbid the writers actually flex their writing chops to cover baseball, of all things. Some of you guys need to really take a step back from the computer if you’re getting salty about free content.
I’m finding myself skipping all the wire claims lately and reading the more in depth stuff. I really don’t need to click another Oliver Drake transaction in my lifetime
I actually really enjoyed the Howie Kendrick article. I know these are fillers, but I wish they did more of these fillers over the offseason, as the off-seasons have died out. There are only so many times certain trade rumors can be regurgitated.
You’re provably one of those guys that would rather read an article about Jon Jay being called up from rehab to join a crappy White Sox team. Now there’s a great story. A worthless, slow, punch and judy hitter coming up to take at bats away from a prospect on a losing team. That should help the Chisox win. NOT!
Guess you haven’t noticed the countless other little articles about players on teams all over MLB. But that doesnt fit your narrative about it only being about California and New York
Doubt he’s going into free agency after this season. Last I heard he was near retirement in October if Dodgers didn’t sign him. Love Freese! One of the most clutch pinch hitters on Dodgers since Ricky Ledee!