Call-Ups: Atlanta Braves and Freddie Freeman
By Wally Fish
Once again it is collaborative post time here on Call to the Pen. This month’s topic is September call-ups. To get the ball rolling, I posed the following question to each of our Lead Writers, “Which player do you want your team to call-up in September and why?” It is a simple question but I think you will find the responses to be very diverse.
Taking the path less traveled this month, I decided to post each team’s write-up individually instead of grouping them by league or division as we have done in the past.
Representing the Atlanta Braves and Tomahawk Take is the site’s Lead Writer, Kris Willis. Check out what he has to say after the jump.
Kris’ Take:
One of the hot names that the Braves have a decision to make on whether or not to give him a September call up is Minor League Player of the Year candidate Freddie Freeman. It was not too long ago that it looked like he was a lock for a call up, but then the Braves made an August waiver wire trade to acquire Derrek Lee from the Chicago Cubs. That deal immediately put doubt into whether or not the Braves would call Freeman up and otherwise start his arbitration clock ticking.
I think that it is important that the Braves include Freeman in their September call ups for two reasons. One the team needs his bat. With Derrek Lee at 1B and Troy Glaus on his way back from injury, Freeman wouldn’t have to shoulder the load at first base which might be a lot for a twenty year old rookie to handle. Second the Braves should promote Freeman because he has earned it with an outstanding season at Triple A Gwinnett. He’s hitting 0.319 with 18 home runs and 87 RBI. He also has 35 doubles to go along with a 0.521 Slugging Percentage. As a very young triple A player (he will turn 21 this month) Freeman has proven that he belongs.
The Braves need not worry about starting Freeman’s arbitration clock as he is likely to be given every opportunity to win the first baseman’s job in Spring Training next season anyway. Calling him up now would just give them an extra look in the heat of a pennant race. With Chipper Jones now in the twilight of his career, the future of the Braves offense will rest in players like Freddie Freeman and this year’s rookie right fielder Jason Heyward. Freeman and Heyward played together throughout the minors before the season saw Heyward in Atlanta and Freeman in Triple A.
They shouldn’t have to wait any longer to be reunited.
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My Notes:
I’m on the Freddie Freeman bandwagon and fully endorse his candidacy as a September call-up. According to David O’Brien on Twitter yesterday, Freddie has been freed and is on his way to the majors. It is also worth mentioning that rumors are circulating that the Braves might be looking to deal Glaus which would open up some additional playing time for their young 1B prospect.
Switching gears, and as a Royals fan, I have to point out that there are three players in the Kansas City system that are far more legitimate Minor League Player of the Year candidates than Freeman (see: Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas and Wil Myers). Of course any discussion of POY awards in the minor leagues has to also include everyone’s favored son and Angels OF prospect, Mike Trout.
It’s a minor disagreement to be sure and the fact I’m still bitter that Kyle Davies hasn’t panned out probably plays into my bias.