CLEVELAND GUARDIANS TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. TYLER FREEMAN, SS/2B
AGE: 23. B-T: R-R. HT: 6-0. WT: 170.
DRAFTED: HS—Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., 2017 (2nd rd supp).
SIGNED BY: Mike Bradford.
TRACK RECORD: Since being drafted 71st overall in 2017 and signed away from his commitment to Texas Christian, Freeman has been the system’s most consistent hitter. In 2018, he led the New York-Penn League in a host of offensive categories, including batting (.352) and slugging (.511), as a 19-year-old. He followed that up with an impressive 2019, earning a promotion to High-A Lynchburg in his first taste of full-season ball. Despite being one of the youngest players in the Carolina League, he more than held his own after his promotion to Lynchburg and is a lifetime .319/.379/.441 hitter as a professional. He was hitting .323 for Double-A Akron in late June when he injured his left shoulder, ending his season. He ultimately required surgery in August.
Freeman stands out most for his hitting ability and excellent feel for the barrel. He has a very aggressive approach at the plate and rarely walks as a result, but when he swings, he makes contact. Thanks to his ability to consistently square up balls and his bat speed, he’s always had some projectable power. In 2021 a third of his hits went for extra bases. That newfound power had started to show in 2020, when he arrived at the alternate training site noticeably stronger following the shutdown. Freeman was drafted as a shortstop, and he continues to develop there. He’s shown improvement with his hands, infield actions and instincts. He’s still an
