Indians infield prospect Tyler Freeman underwent surgery on his left shoulder yesterday, the team announced. The Athletic’s Emily Waldon (Twitter link) reported back on July 29 that Freeman’s season would be ended due to the injury, though he is expected to be recovered in time for the start of Spring Training. Freeman’s shoulder has been bothering him since late June, and he played in only five games sandwiched in between a pair of stints on the injured list.
On the plus side, Freeman has likely done enough at Double-A this year to earn himself a spot on the Triple-A roster to begin the 2022 season. A second-round pick in the 2017 draft, Freeman has hit .323/.372/.470 over 180 plate appearances in his first exposure to Double-A pitching this season, recording two home runs and 14 doubles. Assuming he returns healthy from his shoulder surgery and plays well at Triple-A, Freeman is on pace to make his Major League debut next season.
Baseball America’s midseason prospect rankings place Freeman as Cleveland’s top minor leaguer, and as the 40th best prospect in all of baseball. Freeman has continued to display excellent bat speed and contact skills, and while he has continued to mostly work as a shortstop, he has also seen action as a second baseman and played his first seven pro games as a third baseman. The Tribe currently have Amed Rosario and Andres Gimenez up the middle, though between Rosario’s ability to play in the outfield and Gimenez’s struggles at the plate, there is room for Freeman to emerge as a regular at either middle infield position (with some scouts believing he’ll eventually be a second baseman).
that’s a shame. this dude is gonna be great.
Tatis should of car pooled
You SHOULD HAVE studied proper grammatical English.
you should stop liking your own comments.
You should stop pointing out people’s narcissism
It’s way too early—after all, Freeman’s only 20 and has only played in A Ball—but this kid is going to be good
He played in AA this year…
Can you list five players who have his hit tool (and no power) who play exceptionally well in the majors? Hit tool is the one thing that is very hard to predict for players. I’m not sold on him.
I think he will be very solid but probably not a star. Valera is the guy in the Indians system that looks destined for stardom.
I think his ceiling is as an exceptional utility player like what the Dodgers have in Taylor (with less power and more speed).
Valera has done squat this year. Pretty swing, though.
Now Bryan Lavastida, who is a catcher, is looking really solid and hitting at every level. He’s better than Bo Naylor right now.
Jhonkensey Noel is the guy. He’s just 20 and he’s been killing Low A. As far a Valera is concerned, I wasn’t aware that a .932 OPS in Hi-A as a 20 year old qualified as “has done squat.” Someone please tell Jose Ramirez that he “has done squat” for is major league career.
And yes, Lavastida is looking good.
I would have expected more from Valera. As for Noel, I agree!
More than a .932 OPS? You have very high expectations.
Valera has been great this year, he was just injured for like a month. If there’s one guy in the system that has legitimate superstar potential, I’d put my money on it being him.
(That said, I love Freeman too and Noel has been amazing although he’s still very far away so there’s a wider range of outcomes for him.)
Valera’s OPS is 922 right now and he’s on a tear currently. He did start slow but most of the Tribe’s prospects did this year which is understandable given the circumstances. I’m also super excited about Noel. I’m hoping he gets called up to Lake County so I can watch him Valera, Espino, Curry, Tena and others all playing together. Super talented team they have right now.
Freeman is 22 and played in AA this year.
Been wondering what was going on with him. I can see him in Cleveland maybe next season, and think he can handle either SS or 2B just fine. Too bad it’ll be in a jersey with a dumb team name on it.
With Jones likely up and the guys returning (Rosario, Gimenez, etc.) I don’t him him in Cleveland next year.
Jones needs to learn how to hit still, and his strikeout totals are scary. He hasn’t looked all that impressive to me this year. Heck, been waiting for him to get kicked back down to Akron.
Nolan’s on base skills are still impressive but I thought we’d see some more power from him. I can’t say it’s time to give him a call up just yet. I see him being a Lonnie Chisenhall type player without the injuries.
Gabriel Arias has earned the call up more than anybody in Columbus. Looking forward to seeing what he’s capable of next year. I’m hoping they use the rest of this year to see what they have in Miller and Gimenez.