Kyle Freeland

Last updated

Kyle Freeland
Kyle Freeland (220902-F-JW079-1407).jpg
Freeland with the Colorado Rockies in 2022
Colorado Rockies – No. 21
Pitcher
Born: (1993-05-14) May 14, 1993 (age 31)
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
April 7, 2017, for the Colorado Rockies
Men's baseball
Representing Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
World Baseball Classic
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2023 Miami Team

Kyle Richard Freeland (born May 14, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball at Evansville and was drafted by the Rockies with the eighth pick in the first round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft.

Contents

Early life

Freeland was born May 14, 1993, in Denver, Colorado, to parents Don and Susan Freeland. He has one older brother, Colin. Freeland played many sports as a young athlete, but excelled in both golf and baseball. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Denver, Colorado. [1]

Collegiate career

The Philadelphia Phillies selected Freeland in the 35th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft. He did not sign and attended the University of Evansville to play college baseball for the Evansville Purple Aces. [2] [3]

As a freshman in 2012, Freeland had a 4–5 win–loss record with a 4.55 earned run average (ERA) and 70 strikeouts in 91 innings across 14 games started. As a sophomore in 2013, he again started 14 games, going 4–8 with a 4.34 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 93+1⁄3 innings. After the season, he played in the Cape Cod League with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks, where he had a 2.25 ERA and 48 strikeouts, and was named a league all-star. [4] [5] [6] As a junior, he was 10–2 with a 1.90 ERA and 128 strikeouts over 99+2⁄3 innings (14 starts).

Professional career

Draft and minor leagues

Considered a top prospect for the 2014 Major League Baseball draft, [7] [8] the Colorado Rockies selected Freeland in the first round, with the eighth overall pick, of the 2014 Major League Baseball Draft. [9] Freeland spent 2014 with both the Grand Junction Rockies, and the Asheville Tourists, where he posted a combined 3–0 record with a 1.15 ERA between both teams.

Freeland began the 2015 season with Grand Junction and was later promoted to the Modesto Nuts where he posted a 4.76 ERA. After the season, Freeland was assigned to the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League.[ citation needed ] In 2016, Freeland began the season with the Hartford Yard Goats, and was promoted to the Albuquerque Isotopes in June. Freeland posted an 11–10 record with a 3.89 ERA between the two clubs, starting 26 games. [10]

Major leagues

Freeland with the Rockies in 2017 Kyle Freeland (23631835228) (cropped).jpg
Freeland with the Rockies in 2017

Freeland made his major league debut with the Rockies on April 7, 2017, against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and earned his first win. [11] He also had his first major league hit, a single. [12] His appearance marked the first time in 51 years that a starting pitcher made his Major League debut "in his team's home opener in the state in which he was born"; Chuck Dobson accomplished the feat for the Kansas City Athletics in 1966. [12] Freeland hit his first major league home run on May 21, 2017, against Cincinnati Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo. [13] On July 9, Freeland took a no-hitter into the 9th inning against the Chicago White Sox before giving up a single to Melky Cabrera with one out. He finished the season with an 11–11 record in 156 innings.

Freeland had a breakout season in 2018. He finished the year by breaking Ubaldo Jimenez's franchise record for single season ERA at 2.84 and ended the year with a record of 17 wins and 7 losses in 33 starts. He struggled badly in his first four starts (going 0–3 with a 5.85 ERA), but went 17–4 with a 2.52 ERA in 29 starts the rest of the season. He also broke the single season franchise record for home ERA at one of the most notorious hitters parks in baseball in Coors Field, finishing with an ERA of 2.40. He pitched 202+1⁄3 innings in 33 starts while striking out 173 batters against 70 walks and 182 hits, while holding opponents to a .240 batting average. Additionally, 24 of his 33 starts were quality starts, including 11 consecutive quality starts from August 6 to the end of the season. At the conclusion of the season, Freeland finished fourth in Cy Young voting, behind Aaron Nola, Max Scherzer, and winner Jacob deGrom. [14]

Freeland went on to start the 2018 National League Wild Card Game. He pitched 6+2⁄3 scoreless innings in which he struck out six while allowing four hits and one walk [15] as the Rockies defeated the Chicago Cubs 2–1 in 13 innings, the longest postseason elimination game in baseball history. Freeland also became the first Rockies pitcher to have a scoreless start in a postseason game. [16]

Freeland started the 2019 season going 2–6 with a 7.13 ERA through 12 starts before being demoted to Triple–A on May 31. [17] He was recalled back to Colorado in the month of June. Freeland ended with a 3–11 record with a 6.73 ERA in 22 starts. [18]

Freeland had a bounce-back season in 2020. Freeland was one of the Rockies most dependable starters in the shortened 60-game season. Despite a poor final outing, in 13 starts, he went 2–3 with a 4.33 ERA, led the NL in quality starts with 9, and led all of MLB in induced double plays with 15. He had the lowest strikeout/walk ratio of all NL qualified pitchers, at 2.0, and finished with a top 10 WAR among National League pitchers, at 2.2. [19] Freeland began the 2021 season on the disabled list, missing the first month of the season. He ended the season with a 7–8 record in 23 starts. He struck out 105 batters in 120+2⁄3 innings.

In 2022, the Rockies named Freeland their starting pitcher for Opening Day. [20] On April 19, 2022, Freeland agreed to a five-year, $64.5 million contract extension with the Rockies. [21] On the year, Freeland was 9–11 with a 4.63 ERA in 31 starts covering 174+2⁄3 innings, led the major leagues in sacrifice flies allowed, with nine, and led the majors in triples allowed, with eight. [22] [23] [24] Batters also had an on base percentage against him of .342, the highest against any MLB qualified pitcher. [25]

Freeland began the 2024 season out of Colorado's rotation, struggling to an 0–3 record and 13.21 ERA across four starts. He was placed on the injured list with a left elbow strain on April 19, 2024, [26] and was transferred to the 60–day injured list on May 24. [27] Freeland was activated on June 23. [28]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Lyles</span> American baseball player (born 1990)

Jordan Horton Lyles is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Houston Astros, Colorado Rockies, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Milwaukee Brewers, Texas Rangers, and Baltimore Orioles. He is noted for being an innings eater with rebuilding ballclubs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Matzek</span> American baseball player (born 1990)

Tyler Alexander Matzek is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the first round of the 2009 MLB draft, and made his MLB debut in 2014. He did not play in the major leagues after 2015 until he pitched for the Braves in 2020.

Robert William Stephenson is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Tampa Bay Rays. A first-round pick of the Reds in the 2011 MLB draft, Stephenson made his MLB debut in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Anderson</span> American baseball player (born 1989)

Tyler John Anderson is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Dodgers. He played college baseball for the University of Oregon. The Rockies selected Anderson in the first round, with the 20th overall selection, of the 2011 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pierce Johnson</span> American baseball player (born 1991)

Pierce William Johnson is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies and for the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He was drafted by the Cubs in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft out of Missouri State University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chi Chi Gonzalez</span> American baseball player (born 1992)

Alexander "Chi Chi" González is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Colorado Rockies, Minnesota Twins, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees and Miami Marlins. González goes by Chi Chi, a nickname given to him by his grandfather.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antonio Senzatela</span> Venezuelan baseball player (born 1995)

Antonio Senzatela Rondón is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cal Quantrill</span> Canadian baseball player (born 1995)

Cal Paul Quantrill is a Canadian professional baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the San Diego Padres and Cleveland Indians / Guardians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Germán Márquez</span> Venezuelan baseball player (born 1995)

Germán Andres Márquez is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2016. Márquez won a Silver Slugger Award in 2018 and was an All-Star in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austin Gomber</span> American baseball player (born 1993)

Austin Zachary Gomber is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals' fourth-round selection of the 2014 MLB draft, Gomber attended Florida Atlantic University and played college baseball for the Owls. The Cardinals named him one of their two 2015 Co-Minor League Pitchers of the Year. He made his MLB debut in 2018. He bats and throws left-handed.

Riley Kenneth Pint is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was drafted fourth overall in the 2016 MLB draft by the Rockies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Woodruff</span> American baseball player (born 1993)

Brandon Kyle Woodruff is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Kyle Christopher Lloyd is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phillip Diehl</span> American baseball player (born 1994)

Phillip Stewart Diehl is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Lancaster Stormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies and Cincinnati Reds.

Justin Anthony Lawrence is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashton Goudeau</span> American baseball player (born 1992)

Ashton Chase Goudeau is an American professional baseball pitcher for El Águila de Veracruz of the Mexican League. Goudeau was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 27th round of the 2012 MLB draft. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies.

Lucas Grant Gilbreath is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reiss Knehr</span> American baseball player (born 1996)

David Reiss Knehr is an American professional baseball pitcher in the San Diego Padres organization. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in 2021 for the Padres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake Bird (baseball)</span> American baseball player (born 1995)

Jacob Timothy Bird is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the UCLA Bruins, and led the Pac-12 Conference in earned run average in 2018. He was selected by the Rockies in the fifth round of the 2018 MLB draft and made his MLB debut in 2022.

Austin Kitchen is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB).

References

  1. ↑ Neil Devlin (May 5, 2014). "Kyle Freeland, former TJ star pitcher, tearing it up for Evansville". The Denver Post. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  2. ↑ "University of Evansville". www.gopurpleaces.com. June 8, 2011. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  3. ↑ Ryan Casey (June 8, 2011). "Seven Colorado products go on MLB draft's third day". The Denver Post. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  4. ↑ "#21 Kyle Freeland". pointstreak.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  5. ↑ Jonathan Lintner (May 30, 2013). "Freeland going to Cape Cod League" . Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  6. ↑ Paul Suellentrop (April 11, 2014). "Evansville's Freeland strikes out 15 Shockers". The Wichita Eagle . Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  7. ↑ Michael Salfino (April 23, 2014). "Evansville's Kyle Freeland Is College Baseball's Fastest-Rising Draft Prospect". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Freeland continues to carve up opposing hitters". Major League Baseball. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  9. ↑ Thomas Harding (June 5, 2014). "Rockies take college lefty with local roots in Round 1". Colorado Rockies. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  10. ↑ Kyle Freeland Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  11. ↑ Ken Gurnick; Thomas Harding (April 7, 2017). "Freeland dazzles in debut as Rox down LA". MLB.com. Archived from the original on July 30, 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  12. 1 2 "Freeland wins debut as Rockies top Dodgers 2-1". ESPN. Associated Press. April 8, 2017. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Kyle Freeland Career Home Runs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Saunders: German Marquez's fire, Kyle Freeland's ice give Rockies best pitching duo in club history". September 29, 2018.
  15. ↑ "NL Wild Card Game: How Kyle Freeland and the Rockies neutralized one of the Cubs' most dangerous hitters". CBSSports.com. October 3, 2018.
  16. ↑ Nightengale, Bob. "Winter is here: Stunned Cubs prepare for change after shocking postseason elimination". USA TODAY.
  17. ↑ "Rockies Option Kyle Freeland". MLB Trade Rumors. May 31, 2019.
  18. ↑ "Kyle Freeland Stats". Baseball-Reference.com.
  19. ↑ "2020 National League Standard Pitching". Baseball-Reference.com.
  20. ↑ "Kyle Freeland named Rockies' opening day starter against Dodgers". April 2, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Pitcher Kyle Freeland, Colorado Rockies agree to five-year, $64.5 million contract extension". espn.com. April 19, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Splits Leaderboards | FanGraphs". www.fangraphs.com.
  23. ↑ "Statcast Custom Leaderboards". baseballsavant.com.
  24. ↑ "Kyle Freeland Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com.
  25. ↑ "Statcast Custom Leaderboards". baseballsavant.com.
  26. ↑ "Kyle Freeland lands on IL but Rockies pitcher says injury was not related to base-running collision". cbssports.com. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  27. ↑ "Rockies Select John Curtiss, Matt Carasiti". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  28. ↑ "Rockies Reinstate Kyle Freeland From 60-Day Injured List". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.