Tyler Freeman

Freeman made his major-league debut in 2022, logging a .247/.314/.286 slash line with three doubles, three RBI and a stolen base across 86 plate appearances. He was better with a .279/.371/.364 line in 72 games with Triple-A Columbus, but he added only six home runs and seven doubles there. A lack of over-the-fence power is a known issue, but he had no trouble racking up steals and doubles at the lower levels of the minors. His 7.8 percent walk rate at Triple-A was his best mark, and paired with a 9.3 percent strikeout rate, it's clear he's an effective contact hitter. He'll likely play the bulk of his age-24 campaign at Triple-A again -- perhaps a second season at the level will yield improved results, especially since the Guardians' infield looks pretty much set when the major-league roster is healthy.

It's not fair that Freeman missed over half the season with a left shoulder injury that ended up requiring surgery in August, and it's not fair that his dynasty stock has taken a subsequent hit, but that's the reality. He was once again a doubles machine (14 in 41 games) who sprayed lasers to all fields and logged an elite batting average (.323) with an elite strikeout rate (11.7%). However, his over-the-fence power and patience haven't improved yet in games, and he has grown less aggressive on the bases. Freeman hit two home runs with a 4.4 BB% and four steals on six attempts, and while he's still too young (turns 23 in May) to be considered a finished product, we can't say with any certainty that more power is coming or that he will be a 15-steal threat in the majors. A .300 hitter who scores around 90 runs and nets 25 HR+SB seems like a fair peak season to hope for, but his floor is closer to 15 HR+SB, and at that point, he wouldn't be a lock to get everyday playing time at second base. Andres Gimenez, Gabriel Arias and Owen Miller are more likely to get looks at the keystone this season, at least early on, but now that he is on the 40-man roster, Freeman could force his way into the mix in the second half.

True "sleepers" are rare in the prospect world these days, but Freeman qualified as such in each of the last couple seasons. That may change after he had a loud summer at the alternate site and started turning more of his doubles into home runs. He already had one of the best hit tools in the minors, putting on an all-fields laser show while hitting at least .292 and keeping his strikeout rate under 10.5 percent at all four of the MiLB levels he has played at. Freeman is a quick-twitch athlete with above-average speed that allowed him to steal 19 bases on 24 attempts in 2019. He probably doesn't have the arm to stick at shortstop, but considering Cleveland also lacks a long-term second baseman, there will be everyday at-bats available at one of the two middle-infield spots when he is ready for the majors. Freeman could open the year at Triple-A and debut this summer if he performs up to his standards.

It is as clear as ever that Freeman has one of the best hit tools in the minors. He logged LD% north of 24.0 and Oppo% of at least 33.3 at Low-A and High-A while striking out at a 9.7% clip. Freeman does not have a physical build (6-foot, 170 pounds), but he is a great athlete with strong wrists and good bat speed, which allows him to impact the baseball. He only has seven home runs in 231 games, but has banged 70 doubles in that span, and like with most young hitting prospects with good hit tools, power will be the last tool to show up. His above-average speed and good instincts led to 19 steals on just 24 attempts, which adds another layer to his long-term fantasy value. His arm is a better fit at second base, where he could be a plus defender. It's all about his bat though, and if he continues to hit as expected, he could be the Indians' leadoff hitter at some point in 2021.

One of the most underrated prospects in the minors, Freeman lacks loud power or elite speed, but is athletic, has a high baseball IQ, and most importantly, can flat out hit. The seventh-youngest hitter in the New York-Penn League, Freeman led the league in AVG (.352) and doubles (29), finished second in wRC+ (168) and logged a league-best 7.3 K%. He has a chance to stick at shortstop, and the furthest he would fall down the defensive spectrum would be to second base, where his defense could be plus. In addition to elite bat-to-ball ability, he uses the whole field (35.1 Oppo%) and hit .328/.398/.485 against same-handed pitching, so high batting averages should be bankable as he moves up the ladder. His speed grades out as above-average, and he has good instincts on the bases, so he should steal double-digit bases annually. Players of his ilk sometimes overshoot their fringe-average power projections, but he should be valuable in fantasy even if he never does.