While everyone was getting excited about the World Series the Atlanta Braves made a few minor league moves.
In the past two weeks the Atlanta Braves added a relief pitcher, re-signed a swing man, an outfielder and a catcher/first baseman then said goodbye to a minor league pitcher.
The New Kid on the Block
Sam Freeman was a 2008 selection by the Cardinals in the 2008 draft. The native of Carrollton Texas has always been a reliever and got his first major league shot in 2012. That season he appeared in 24 games throwing twenty innings with a 5.40 ERA, 4.24 FIP and 1.350 WHIP.
He saw action 13 times in 2013 and seemed to have become a fixture in 2014 when he made 44 appearances for the Redbirds posting a 2.61 ERA. 3.79 FIP, 1.395 WHIP in 38 IP. His time in St Louis would end next March when he was traded to the Rangers for cash.
He made 54 appearances for the Rangers totaling 38 1/3 innings posting a 3.05 ERA, 4.59 FIP and 1.461 WHIP and striking out 40 while walking 25.
2016
In April of this season the Rangers designated him for assignment and the Brewers purchased his contract. Freeman made only seven appearances for the Crew before being outrighted to AAA. Freeman rejected assignment and chose free agency. He didn’t pitch again this season
According to Brooks baseball the 5’11, 180 pound RHRP relies on a four-seam fastball that sits at a pretty steady 95 and a splitter that they call much firmer than usual” at about 86 MPH. He shows a sinker at 95 and a slider at 85.
His sinker is of the hard and heavy variety, generating ground balls at about a 60% rate. His split has some arm-side run and and like the sinker generates a ton of ground balls. His slider is basically a show pitch with good depth but hitters don’t miss it much when they swing and then ten to get it up in the air when they connect.
Freeman’s contract gives him an invite to spring training.