RADIO
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Kory Wallace analyzes why David Freese is a 2014 fantasy baseball draft sleeper. If you miss out on an elite third basemen (3B), plug Freese into your lineup.
Who is David Freese?
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When you have a lineup loaded with some of baseball’s top hitters, it is easy to forget about the little guys. Some may say David Freese is no longer in that category, contrary to his postseason heroics for the Cardinals in 2011, and he has yet to put together a year that scouts were really expecting out of him.
Freese did have a nice 2012 season, where he amassed 144 games, 20 HR, 79 RBI, and compiled a .293 batting average. But he has the ability to put up bigger numbers if he can play a full season. It has been the downfall of his career; he has a hard time staying on the field every day. Freese is off to a slow start in the spring, but things could turn around quickly for this slugger. His former hitting coach in St. Louis, Mark McGwire, once said that he believes Freese can hit upwards of .340. But that has yet to be seen.
2014 Season Outlook
Freese will be able to hide himself in the Angels’ lineup hitting behind Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, and Josh Hamilton. If all goes according to plan with those three, he will basically have no pressure to produce because they will carry that burden. Hitting in the number 5 or 6 spot will be perfect for Freese because he will have plenty of opportunities to prove himself as a run producer, all the while being out of the spotlight. It is very possible for him to drive in 100 runs this year if he is healthy and the lineup plays the way they are supposed to.
Third base is a packed position this year in all leagues, based on the fact that Miguel Cabrera is moving back and Matt Carpenter will now play third for the Cardinals as well. It is so deep that this year Freese can be labeled as number 16 or 17 overall in position strength. Therefore you should consider him a fantasy baseball draft day sleeper, based on his potential in a loaded lineup, combined with the fact that there are so many other valuable 3B so you can easily grab him late in drafats.
2014 Fantasy Prediction - .300, 20-25 HR, 80-90 RBI
