Mike Freeman (baseball)

Michael Barrett Freeman (born August 4, 1987) is an American former professional baseball utility player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, and Cincinnati Reds.

For other people with the same name, see Michael Freeman (disambiguation).
Mike Freeman
Freeman with the Cleveland Indians in 2019
Utility player
Born: (1987-08-04) August 4, 1987
Orlando, Florida, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Right
MLB debut
July 17, 2016, for the Arizona Diamondbacks
Last MLB appearance
August 4, 2021, for the Cincinnati Reds
MLB statistics
Batting average.225
Home runs5
Runs batted in32
Teams

Career

Amateur

Freeman attended Edgewater High School in Orlando, Florida. Out of high school he was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 41st round of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft. He did not sign and played college baseball at Clemson University.[1] In 2008, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[2][3]

Arizona Diamondbacks

After his junior year he was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 36th round of the 2009 MLB Draft but did not sign and returned to Clemson. He was then drafted by the Diamondbacks in the 11th round of the 2010 MLB Draft and signed.[4] Freeman was called up to the majors for the first time on July 17, 2016.[5]

Seattle Mariners

Freeman was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners on August 1, 2016. He was designated for assignment on March 1, 2017.[6]

Los Angeles Dodgers

He was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 26, 2017.[7] The Dodgers designated him for assignment him on July 31.[8]

Chicago Cubs
Freeman with the Iowa Cubs in 2018

On August 6, 2017, Freeman signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs. Freeman ultimately played in 15 games for the Cubs, but was not included on the playoff roster following the season. He elected minor league free agency on November 6, 2017.[9] On January 25, 2018, Freeman re-signed with the Cubs on a minor league deal and received an invitation to spring training.[10] He was designated for assignment after the season and then became a free agent.[11]

Cleveland Indians

Freeman signed a minor-league deal with a spring training invitation with the Cleveland Indians on November 20, 2018. He had his contract selected on April 16, 2019. Freeman was designated for assignment on December 15, 2019, and subsequently outrighted to the minor leagues on December 19, 2019. The Indians selected Freeman's contract on July 23, 2020. Overall with the 2020 Cleveland Indians, Freeman batted .237 with no home runs and 3 RBIs in 24 games.[12] On October 30, 2020, Freeman was outrighted off of the Indians' 40-man roster; he subsequently elected free agency.[13] On February 4, 2021, Freeman re-signed with the Indians on a minor league contract.[14]

Cincinnati Reds

On March 12, 2021, Freeman was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for cash.[15] He did not make the Reds' opening day roster.[16] On June 1, Freeman was selected to the active roster.[17][18] On August 15, Freeman was designated for assignment by the Reds.[19] On August 17, Freeman was sent outright to the Triple-A Louisville Bats. On October 12, Freeman elected free agency.[20]

Coaching career

On January 25, 2023, Freeman was hired by the Seattle Mariners organization to serve as the manager for the Arkansas Travelers, Seattle's Double-A affiliate.[21]

References
  1. "Clemson's Freeman happy to be a Tiger".
  2. Jim Chandley. "Brewster Whitecaps 2008 Season Review". capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  3. "2008 Brewster Whitecaps". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  4. "Mike Freeman trying to top last year's championship highlight with Mobile BayBears". 29 June 2013.
  5. McLennan, Jim (July 17, 2016). "Arizona Diamondbacks select Mike Freeman, put Chris Herrmann on DL". Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  6. "Mariners Acquire Chase De Jong, Designate Mike Freeman". MLB Trade Rumors.
  7. Todd, Jeff (May 26, 2017). "Dodgers Claim Mike Freeman, Chris Heston". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  8. Minami, Craig (July 31, 2017). "Dodgers acquire right-handed pitcher Yu Darvish from Rangers". SB Nation. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  9. "Outgoing Cubs Minor League Free Agents: John Andreoli, Trey Martin, Among Others". bleachernation.com. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  10. "Cubs' Mike Freeman: Returns to Cubs on NRI deal".
  11. Eddy, Matt (November 6, 2018). "Minor League Free Agents 2018". Baseball America. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  12. "Mike Freeman Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
  13. Zencka, TC (October 31, 2020). "Mike Freeman Elects Free Agency". MLB Trade Rumors.
  14. "Indians Sign Mike Freeman, DJ Johnson to Minors Deals".
  15. "Indians Trade Mike Freeman to Reds".
  16. "Reds Mike Freeman Denied Roster Spot".
  17. "Major League Baseball Transactions".
  18. "Reds Designate Hector Perez for Assignment".
  19. "Reds Place Nick Senzel on Injured List".
  20. "Players Recently Electing Free Agency". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  21. "Former Clemson infielder joins Mariners coaching staff". clemsonwire.usatoday.com. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
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