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Houston Astros’ first baseman, Nate Freiman, will make the Astros coming out of Spring Training. Disclaimer: this post has absolutely nothing to do with Spring Training stats. It is far too early to be looking at stats. However, I truly believe Freiman will make the Astros squad coming out of Spring Training.
Freiman can flat out mash a baseball. He can hit. That has never been the question about Freiman. The main question about Freiman is simply this: where will he play? That is where he is a perfect fit for the Astros. When Freiman was on the San Diego Padres, he didn’t really have a place to play. From what I have seen, he isn’t a good fielder at first base. He is a hitter without a position in the field to play. This is simply why the Astros claimed him in the Rule V Draft,
He may not be able to play first, but with the Astros moving to the American League, he can certainly play designated hitter (DH). The DH is primarily where I see Freiman playing. To be completely honest, I am not so sure Carlos Pena will be a starter. At the point where the Astros are at in their franchise, I could see them agreeing with me.
If the Astros do keep Pena after Spring Training, it will probably to split time between DH and first base, and he could provide the Astros with a left handed power bat off of the bench. With Chris Carter, Pena, Brett Wallace, and Freiman all battling for two positions, I could see the Astros putting Carter in left field, Freiman at DH, Wallace at first base, and Pena coming off of the bench.
Houston Astros Manager, Bo Porter, has already mentioned he really likes Freiman, and to be honest, how could you NOT like Freiman? Especially as a DH. If Freiman can produce at the Major League level like he did in the minors, he could be a big part of the Astros offense. Especially as a DH. To this point, Freiman is having a nice spring. When trying to make a team, that can only help. We will have to see how this plays out, but I am almost certain Nate Freiman will be on the Astros come Opening Night.
