CLEVELAND, Ohio — When the Guardians decided to make Tyler Freeman their opening day center fielder, they knew the 24-year-old shortstop by trade would face a number of challenges as he made the transition to his new defensive position. But just two weeks into the season, both Freeman and the Guardians are seeing the move pay off with positive results in the field.
Freeman views every ball hit his way as an opportunity, having already crossed a lot of firsts off his list in the first 12 games of the season.
“I need as many reps as possible just to kind of get those check marks out of the way, but as more keep coming I get more comfortable,” Freeman said. “So hopefully they keep coming.”
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Monday’s home opener against Chicago presented several chances for Freeman to put into practice what he has learned. He recorded five putouts and has yet to commit an error in 24 total chances this season.
In the first inning, with a runner at third base Andrew Vaugh took a big swing at a Triston McKenzie pitch and sent a shallow pop into center. Freeman initially broke back on the play, and then sprinted in at the same time Platinum Glove second baseman Andres Gimenez went dashing out. The teammates appeared headed for a collision before Freeman peeled off and Gimenez caught the ball with a nifty hop.
Two lessons Freeman took away from that play: read how close the ball is to your infielders, and make sure everybody walks away safely afterward.
“I didn’t realize how close it was to Gimi,” Freeman said. “He’s really important to our team. He’s the captain of that infield, so when he calls it, I’ll probably get out of the way.”
When it comes to making catches on balls hit over his head, Freeman has already demonstrated a comfort level with sprinting to a spot and relocating the ball in the air. Last week in Minnesota, he took extra bases away from Twins catcher Christian Vazquez by making a running catch on the warning track with two runners in scoring position. Freeman covered 88 feet of ground while the ball hung in the air for six seconds according to Statcast.
Against the White Sox on Monday, Freeman snagged an Andrew Benintendi drive into left center before running up against the wall after covering 77 feet with the ball in the air. Afterward, manager Stephen Vogt said Freeman has met every challenge defensively.
“Tyler’s so athletic,” Vogt said. “The Benintendi ball carried on him a little more than he thought, but he turned to a spot and it was right there. He’s really come a long way and he’s continuing to get better and better each time out and getting more confident. Tyler’s done a phenomenal job out there.”
Guardians outfield coach J.T. Maguire said Freeman has embraced the daily, targeted work and drills that are a part of transitioning from his utility role on the infield to a full-time job at one of the most important defensive positions in the middle of the field.
“We’ve made it an emphasis in practice and ever since spring training,” Maguire said. “Pregame work is going back on balls and really kind of either taking his eyes off of the ball or just getting to the spot of the ball. We’re also mixing that in with working around the wall as well.”
When Maguire is not alongside Freeman during games he says there are “mentors” out there in Steven Kwan, Will Brennan and Ramon Laureano who have experience and can fill in the gaps.
“It’s like having four extra coaches now for him,” Maguire said. “I’m breaking down some technical stuff, but they’re teaching him the nuances of the game, and it’s just been extremely beneficial for him.”
Kwan, a two-time Gold Glove winner in left field, said he has been impressed at how far Freeman has come in such a short time.
“He’s gliding over there,” Kwan said. “There’s times when I want to make sure he’s in the right spot and then I look over and he’s coasting to the ball. It’s been amazing what he’s been able to do.”
Kwan said one advantage Freeman has is that he understands the dynamics of the position. So far, communication has been key.
“Even before we were banging balls off the wall, we were talking about communication,” Kwan said. “He’s taking that all in stride. They thought they tested him (on Monday), but they really didn’t. There’s balls off the wall that he’s going to play really well, so it’s exciting to see his progress.”
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